Leicester City 2-0 Chelsea: 5 talking points as the Foxes go top of the table | Premier League 2020-21

#3 Kai Havertz has another game to forget for Chelsea

Kai Havertz was anonymous for most of the game

Kai Havertz completed a club-record transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea last summer, and it was expected that he would build on his trajectory to take the Londoners to new heights.

However, things have hardly turned out that way, and the 21-year-old is currently struggling for form and confidence on the field of play.

Having been left out of the starting lineup against Fulham, the Germany international was handed a start at the King Power Stadium. However, he had another game to forget for the Blues.

He struggled to make a mark in the game, with a first-half yellow card for a frustrated shove on Harvey Barnes being all he had to show for his efforts.

Havertz was substituted after 67 minutes without a shot or key pass made, while his passing accuracy of just 71.4% left a lot to be desired.

His no-show here means that he has created just one chance and attempted only one shot in his last six Premier League games. For a player from whom much was expected, this is simply not good enough.

#2 Leicester City send statement of intent to the rest of the league

Leicester City are top of the Premier League

Leicester City have fallen some way off the highs of winning the Premier League in 2016, but they have routinely proved their mettle since then.

Last season, the Foxes were unlucky to lose out on a top-four finish on the final day, having been in the top three for most of the campaign. However, they have built on from that disappointment.

This term, Brendan Rodger's men have already registered victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal, while a hard-fought draw was also secured against Manchester United.

🔝🦊 pic.twitter.com/0WG5JOtep3

— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 19, 2021

This victory over Chelsea temporarily sends the Foxes to the top of the table at the midway point of the campaign. While it might still be relatively early days, if Leicester City can continue their impressive form, they could be in with a shot at the title come the end of the campaign.

#1 Is it time for Chelsea to call it quits with the Frank Lampard project?

Frank Lampard has the worst win ratio of the Roman Abramovic era

Frank Lampard had a footballing career that few throughout history can rival. He can genuinely lay a claim to being the best player to ever represent Chelsea.

Having hung up his boots in 2016, a one-year managerial spell was undertaken with Derby County where he guided the Pride Park outfit to the final of the playoff.

Despite losing that fixture to Aston Villa, the Chelsea hierarchy had seemingly seen enough to be convinced that he is the right man for the managerial position at Stamford Bridge.

The announcement made for a dream headline, with the Blues' favourite son ostensibly coming back to take the club to the levels he operated at during his playing days.

It began well enough. Despite a transfer ban, Chelsea still managed a top-four finish, while several academy players were promoted in contrast to what was obtainable before.

Given his relative success in the first year, Lampard was backed wholeheartedly in the transfer market, with over £220 million expended on new recruits in the midst of a pandemic.

Nobody else on the continent spent close to such sums, and it was expected that Chelsea would build on the gains made last season.

However, after a bright start, the club have come crashing down and currently find themselves in eighth spot on the standings- level on points with Southampton and below West Ham (both of whom spent a minute fraction last summer).

Frank's thoughts after a disappointing defeat 👇

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 19, 2021

This is simply not good enough for Chelsea in any era, much less in one where they outspent all their Premier League rivals.

Results have been poor on the field, while their playing pattern does not suggest any superior tactical drilling on the training ground.

Most damning of all has been the under-performance of the marquee signings of the summer, with Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech all looking shadows of the players they were six months ago.

Several managers of the Roman Abramovic era have been sacked for much less but Frank Lampard continues to get a stay of execution owing to his legendary playing career.

However, with time running out and rivals steering clear of Chelsea, the club might have to take a hard decision over whether it is time to swing the axe on Frank Lampard.