Leicester aim to inflict more misery on Tammy Abraham when he returns to the scene of the beginning of the end of his Chelsea career.
Abraham was on course for superstardom at Chelsea last term when he led the line under Frank Lampard and played for England. But his dreams of finally establishing himself at Chelsea were blown after Lampard was sacked following a dismal 2-0 loss at Leicester in January 2021. The striker made just five starts afterwards under successor Thomas Tuchel, who even omitted him altogether from the FA Cup final, which Leicester won 1-0.
Abraham, 24, has since done superbly to bounce back from Tuchel’s painful snub with a move to Italy where he has 26 goals after a £34million summer move to Roma. But Leicester defender Timothy Castagne says the Foxes are desperate to keep him quiet again when Abraham returns in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday. “Hopefully, it would be good,” admitted Castagne, when asked if he was aiming for a similar outcome to Abraham’s last visit with out of sorts Chelsea.
“At that time the whole team was without confidence and it wasn’t going well. But when I see the Roma fans, they really like him there. He’s doing very well and it will be a big task to keep him quiet.
“He rebounded very well and playing with Roma is a big feat. I think there was a big difference when we played them here and then in the FA Cup final and at Stamford Bridge later in the season.”
Leicester reached the last four with a thrilling last-gasp 2-1 win at PSV Eindhoven after a goalless first leg. Brendan Rodgers’ side are now preparing to face Jose Mourinho ’s men, who are after their first European trophy in 61 years.
Belgium full-back Castagne used to play in Serie A and expects a tight first leg as he reckons former Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs boss Mourinho has made Roma more cautious.
The articulate full-back, signed from Atalanta in 2020, analysed: “When I was in Italy they wouldn’t defend, they would always try to go forward. That would be good for us if they do that because it would be a very open game. You never know with Mourinho how he’s going to play. If they come and play defensively , they still have some big players so it’s not always easy for them to do that job.”
Who will reach the Europa Conference League final: Leicester or Roma? Have your say in the comments!
Leicester talisman and title winner Jamie Vardy, 35, came off the bench in the 71st minute for the weekend’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. It was his first appearance in six weeks and just his third this year after knee and hamstring injuries but the striker is pushing to start on Thursday night.
Castagne added: “Jamie is a legend, he can score everywhere and find space so easily. With Vardy you just need one look with him and he’s gone. He’s in a good place now. Even when you see him sprinting in training you don’t think he’s 35. He still has that spring to him. Hopefully we will see more of him.”
