Chelsea
boss Maurizio Sarri is contemplating deploying Eden Hazard as a 'false nine'
for a third straight Premier League game in order to "let him free".
The Blues play Leicester at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after beating
Manchester City and Brighton without fielding a recognised striker.
Olivier Giroud played the full game as Chelsea beat Bournemouth 1-0 in the
Carabao Cup on Wednesday, when Hazard came off the bench to score the
decisive goal, while Alvaro Morata returned to training on Thursday
following a knee injury.
"There isn't the best position for Hazard," Sarri said. "Hazard is a
wonderful player, with a very high level of imagination. He needs to be let
free on the pitch.
"I think there isn't the right position for him. We need to have a very high
level of organisation based on his movements."
Meanwhile, Jamie Vardy is set to return for Leicester after he was rested
for the Carabao Cup penalty-shootout defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday.
The striker had returned from a groin injury in last weekend's 1-0 defeat at
Crystal Palace and Foxes boss Claude Puel did not want to rush him back into
action again.
But the former England international and Leicester's five-goal top scorer
should be available for the trip to west London.
"I hope [Vardy] can be fit for this match and can find his qualities," Puel
said.
"With his quality and his aggressiveness, he is a very good player for us.
We need Jamie - with his ability, capacity and character - to give his best.
"Of course, it has been difficult for him with injuries and suspensions this
season, but he is a valuable player for us and we need Jamie to be at his
best for us."
Other team news
Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen is out with a minor hamstring
problem.
As for the visitors, left-back Ben Chilwell could also return following his
knee injury after missing the last two games, but midfielder Wilfred Ndidi
is struggling after suffering a knee injury against Manchester City.
Opta stats
Chelsea have lost only once in their last 12 Premier League meetings with
Leicester (W9 D2). That defeat came at the King Power Stadium in December
2015 while they were reigning champions, as the Foxes went on to lift the
trophy that campaign
Leicester have failed to win any of their last eight visits to face Chelsea
at Stamford Bridge in all competitions (D2 L6), last winning there in
September 2000 (2-0)
Only versus Man Utd and Arsenal (both 16) have Leicester lost more Premier
League games than against Chelsea (14)
Chelsea are unbeaten in 12 Premier League home games, keeping a clean sheet
in each of the last three games at Stamford Bridge in the competition (W7 D5
L0)
Leicester are looking to avoid three consecutive Premier League defeats for
the first time since a run of five losses in February 2017
Leicester are winless in their last 10 Premier League games in London (D4
L6) since a 3-2 win at West Ham United in March 2017
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Merson's prediction
What is Claude Puel doing against Manchester City? It's the quarter-final of
the League Cup, they're not getting relegated, why is he resting players?
If I were a Leicester fan I'd be going ballistic. They're comfortable in the
table, and if you beat them, you knock the favourites out and then you could
be playing Burton for a place in the final. As a Leicester fan now, what's
left? It's an absolute disgrace. Man City were there for the taking.
I can't see anything but a Chelsea win here; they've had some big results
since that defeat at Wolves.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
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