Chilwell committed to City’s European mission despite the transfer rumours
WATFORD 1 CITY VERDICT LATE STING IN TAIL AS DAWSON CANCELS OUT BEN’S ROCKET
Dawson (93)
Ben Foster
Kiko Femenia
Christian Kabasele
Adam Masina
Craig Dawson
Will Hughes
Etienne Capoue
Roberto Pereyra
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Ismaila Sarr
Troy Deeney
Subs: Hourelho Gomes, Adrian Mariappa (for Femenia, 77 mins), Tom Cleverley (for Doucoure, 77), Danny Welbeck (for Pereyra, 67) Nathaniel Chalobah (for Capoue, 77) Craig Cathcart, Andre Gray, Jose Holebas (for Masina, 88), Ignacio Pussetto
IN any normal summer, Ben Chilwell would be reading the reports around his future on a beach somewhere.
Or, if it’s an even-numbered year like this one, he’d be reading them in a hotel booked out by England, and with the Three Lions manager telling players to leave club matters at home.
But this is not a normal summer and as rumours over the left-back grow rampant, he still has around a dozen games to play for City.
As such, the spotlight on him will be harsh.
Chelsea and Manchester City fans will be doing their own scouting reports on the player their clubs are chasing, while Leicester City supporters will be keen to see their prized asset’s head has not been turned, particularly as his performances in the first three months of the year, before lockdown, had left many of the King Power faithful nonplussed about his potential departure.
“I recognise players will look beyond Leicester City, but I’ve never felt that with Ben,” Rodgers said this week, and the 23-yearold’s performance proved it.
He wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but there was a clear desire there. It was not the display of somebody who has his eyes on the exit door.
He galloped down the left wing all afternoon, carrying the ball out of danger, or getting forward to crossing positions.
From there, he mostly over-hit balls into the box, but he dropped a few in the right area, only for the organised Watford back-line to clear.
He had the heart and – in a testament to the work City have done over the break – the stamina to charge forward in the 90th minute, control the ball perfectly and hit a sweet strike into the top corner.
Defensively, he was often beaten by Ismaila Sarr, but that could be an accurate description of any left-back over the next few weeks.
On the whole, it was a decent performance from Chilwell, and that’s good news for City.
It shows he’s either committed to his contract at the King Power Stadium or, if he is tempted by Stamford Bridge, he’s not letting it damage Leicester’s own Champions League hopes.
On the other side, James Justin was making the first of what is likely to be a long run of matches at right-back.
Unfortunately for the 22-yearold, he will be compared to the sidelined Ricardo Pereira, which is perhaps unfair given the Portuguese is much more experienced, and one of the best in the world.
Early signs are good for Justin, though, with the former Luton man showing in defence that Ricardo’s qualities may not be missed, even if he is the league’s leading tackler.
At Vicarage Road, Justin made seven successful tackles, three more than any other player on the pitch.
He also made several important headed clearances, while he bravely threw himself between two Watford attackers, putting them off as they charged on to a deep cross.
It was in attack where Ricardo’s absence was more notable.
Rodgers points it out regularly, but while Ricardo dribbles the ball forward, Justin is more prone to pass-and-move, stretching his legs to get in behind and hoping to receive the ball.
That means Justin requires other players to drop deep to give him an option, whereas Ricardo is capable of navigating tricky situations by himself.
With Justin showing bravery in defence, he could now try to show more on the front foot and try carrying the ball forward himself. Certainly, with Ricardo out until October, Justin has plenty of time to practice.
Dribbling forward is one of Demarai Gray’s strengths and the winger showed confidence and intricacy in his manipulation of the ball at Watford.
On as a substitute with 25 minutes to play, Gray set up two very good chances with some neat footwork, and then pinged a ball across field to assist Chilwell’s stunner.
He was dangerous throughout and if not for his introduction, the momentum may not have swung City’s way.
It could be that the next six weeks are perfect for Gray – he might thrive without crowds.
Usually, the sight of Gray taking off his tracksuit top and the number seven being entered into the fourth official’s board does not generate much excitement.
Gray has stepped on to the pitch to as many groans as he has cheers over recent years, with fans unable to hide their lack of belief in his ability to change a game.
It’s happened with Rachid Ghezzal and Kelechi Iheanacho, too, and rarely ends in a positive performance.
So without the pressure of a full stadium, Gray might be to show himself at his best.
Some players, like Jamie Vardy, are supercharged by the antagonism of opposition fans. Some players do better when they have people to prove wrong. Some players do better without the pressure of 30,000 watching eyes.
It’s been said before, but let’s hope this promising Gray display is now backed up by a few more.
Gray’s impact was another successful substitution by Rodgers, whose reputation for the right changes at the right time is growing.
Before lockdown, City’s subs had scored or assisted 12 goals, three more than the next most successful side, Manchester City. Gray’s ball to Chilwell took Leicester’s tally to 13.
And there is scope for more game-changers over the coming weeks.
Gray and Iheanacho came on, and when Ayoze Perez and Dennis Praet are fully fit, they will provide another two forward-thinking options.
It seems there will not be a game for the remainder of the campaign that City should not feel optimistic they can alter.
A draw adds two fewer points to the City’s tally than they would have liked, but they can be satisfied with the draw given the results behind them.