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Leicester’s manager wants to win for late owner Vichai

Hardik Vyas Bengaluru

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers says lifting their first FA Cup on Saturday would be a fitting tribute to the club’s late chairperson Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his family.

Thai-led consortium Asian Football Investments took over Leicester in 2010 and, under the Srivaddhanaprabha family, the Midlands club was transformed as they returned to the Premier League in 2014 before memorably claiming the title in 2015-2016.

Leicester chairperson Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, nicknamed “Top”, succeeded Vichai, who was killed along with four other passengers when his helicopter crashed outside the King Power Stadium in October 2018.

“I’d love to win it for Khun Vichai and his family. His spirit will be there with us on the day,” Rodgers told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.

“One of the reasons I came was because of them and the cause the club has. I would love to do it for the supporters and the players, but if I had to pick one, I’d say Top and his family.”

Heading into their first FA Cup final in 52 years, Leicester are sweating over the availability of defender Jonny Evans, who has missed the last two games with a heel injury.

“We’ll give him another day. He was outside today and looked very good. We’ll make the final decision tomorrow,” Rodgers said.

Northern Irishman Evans, 33, has been an influential player for Leicester over the past few weeks, scoring against West Bromwich Albion and Southampton as well as making a last-ditch tackle in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last month.

“Jonny’s a warrior, so I know if there’s any way he can play, even if he’s not 100%, he’ll be out there,” Rodgers said.

“It’s going to be a physical game, so we need physicality in the team and running ability. If that’s hindered in any way, it might make it difficult for him.”

Leicester have lost four FA Cup finals.

● Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said his side’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Wednesday was their own fault and a “wake-up call” ahead of a huge end to the season.

Tuchel’s side would have all but sealed a Premier League top-four finish with a win, but instead are now looking over their shoulders.

“Totally our fault, nobody else’s. We lost, it’s totally our responsibility. We had huge chances. We made an own goal more or less — total gift,” Tuchel said.

“We weren’t on the pitch with the same energy, it wasn’t easy to come up with the intensity and passing. We weren’t sharp enough and didn’t have the same hunger and attitude as we’re used to playing with. So it’s on us. It was maybe too many changes from the last match and I take full responsibility for that. Maybe it’s the last wake-up call for all of us.”

With an FA Cup final in mind Tuchel made a number of changes to his starting line-up.

SPORT

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2021-05-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-05-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

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