Stephy Mavididi knows he has to take his chances to end his longest spell out of the Leicester City starting line-up.
Mavididi was a rare bright spark in City’s defeat to West Ham last Thursday, providing a burst of energy off the bench for the final half an hour.
He did not do enough to get City looking like they could force a comeback but did perk up what had been a lifeless display to that point from Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side.
Mavididi will hope it’s done enough to earn him a start against Chelsea this Sunday (2pm kick-off), when City take on their old boss Enzo Maresca.
The winger has not started any of City’s last six games in all competitions, his longest run out of the 11 since joining the club from Montpellier in the summer of 2023.
He has three goals and an assist in the Premier League but feels he could have done more to help the team, and knows the onus is on him to prove why he deserves to be in the 11.
He told TNT Sports last month: “It’s frustrating for myself because I know that until this stage, I could do a lot more and help the team and club a lot more.
“But it's part and parcel of football. I’ve just got to keep working hard and when you get your chance, take it.
“Hopefully we do see brighter days. We’re coming towards the business end and hopefully we can get over the line.”
Mavididi scored a terrific goal at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup last term and if he manages to repeat that feat this weekend, it will end a run of four straight Premier League matches without City finding the net.
It may also help City’s survival bid as they look to make up the five-point gap to Wolves, while it could also dent Chelsea’s Champions League hopes, a problem for Maresca, the man who gave Mavididi the best season of his career.
“To this day, it’s the highlight of my career,” he said of City’s Championship triumph. “We played some good football with a top manager and everything was enjoyable from start to finish.
“Even looking back at it now, even the dark moments we faced last season, it was kind of enjoyable, (dealing) with the pressure and everything. It was probably my best season.”
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