Chelsea’s visit to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium this weekend brought several familiar faces back to the stadium, including Enzo Maresca, who returns to the club he led to Championship glory last season. Alongside him, a few former Leicester players now wear Chelsea blue, including Wesley Fofana, who started against his former team, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was named to the bench.
Dewsbury-Hall, a product of Leicester’s youth system and a key player in their midfield, made it clear that if he scored against his old club, he wouldn’t celebrate. The Leicester fans showed their appreciation for the 25-year-old when he warmed up in the first half, giving him a standing ovation. In contrast, Fofana, who also made the switch to Chelsea, didn’t receive the same level of affection from the home crowd.
So far, Dewsbury-Hall’s time at Chelsea has been far from spectacular. He’s made 10 appearances this season, mostly in cup matches, but has yet to start a league game before this fixture. His performances have drawn criticism, with many viewing him as one of the club’s less impactful signings. However, Maresca remains supportive of Dewsbury-Hall, urging fans to be patient with the midfielder’s development.
Despite his underwhelming start, there’s still optimism that Dewsbury-Hall could find his form, especially after his successful spell at Leicester under Maresca. Joe Cole, a former Chelsea player, believes the midfielder has the potential to prove the doubters wrong. However, Dewsbury-Hall must seize any opportunity to make a mark, or he risks falling out of favor with both the Chelsea management and supporters.
