Chelsea vs Leicester: Graeme Souness blames Cesar Azpilicueta for costing Blues again

The captain lost Wilfred Ndidi at a corner to allow the Foxes to equalise and take a point in Frank Lampard’s return 

Jack Rathborn
Monday 19 August 2019 14:59 BST
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Graeme Souness has heaped pressure on Cesar Azpilicueta after pinning the blame on the Chelsea captain for Wilfred Ndidi’s equaliser for Leicester.

The Nigeria international jumped high to head in from a corner to secure a 1-1 draw after Mason Mount has earlier profited from the Foxes midfielder’s mistake to break the deadlock.

It meant Frank Lampard was unable to grab a victory in his home debut as manager, with Azpilicueta already struggling for form in three winless games to start the new era at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard struggled in the 4-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford and Souness insists he was once again at fault on Sunday.

“Azpilicueta has been a brilliant defender for Chelsea but he doesn’t know Ndidi is there for the goal, he’s just watching the ball,” Souness said on Sky Sports.

“He looks over his right shoulder and he stops that. He gave two goals away last week and gave this goal away today as well.”

While former Blues left-back Ashley Cole blamed Azpilicueta’s body shape for allowing Ndidi to score.

“Azpilicueta’s body shape is wrong,” Cole added. “If he’d opened his body up a bit more he would’ve stopped him.”

Ndidi rises highest to head Leicester level
Ndidi rises highest to head Leicester level (Getty)

Azpilicueta could come under pressure from the returning Reece James in the coming weeks.

The Blues youngster impressed on loan at Wigan last season and will soon be available for Lampard, with Norwich away next, followed by Sheffield United at home.

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