Ben Chilwell deserves more respect from Leicester fans

Ben Chilwell potentially leaving got a mixed reception among Leicester City fans, but he’s still key for Brendan Rodgers – is the left-back harshly treated?

When you say Ben Chilwell to Leicester City fans, it will usually be greeted with a noise that would describe your mother-in-law. The England left-back hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks, but with players in the team also struggling, some more than others. Therefore, why do Foxes supporters give him such a hard time?

The time was always going to come when a change of the guard was necessary, and change is always the hardest thing, especially to things you love. But one of the hardest things for Leicester fans is accepting Chilwell instead of Fuchs despite him being the better player.

Chilwell is more dynamic, quicker, and arguably a better defender, whilst being 11 years younger.  The fact that he is an academy product as well should lead to a wave of support when you look at how lenient other clubs fans are towards their academy products.

Academy products are a rarity in modern times, especially at Leicester, but it comes as no surprise when you hear reports that the youngster is considering a move away from the King Power.

I get uncomfortable when you see the treatment he is on the receiving end of, and when he is touted for a move away everyone is telling him to do one, even though James Justin hasn’t exactly set the world a light since coming into the team.

Players go through bad spells, and yes you are allowed to be critical of players, but sometimes it’s too much and detrimental to the team’s performances.

This criticism was at its peak when the East Midlander’s faced this year’s champions at the King Power. Chilwell received the ball, advanced, but had no options available, turned back and the crowd on his side went apocalyptic. It was completely unjustified when you can clearly see the whole side was being outplayed by a far superior team, with everyone having a poor game.

His confidence took a massive hit, and he did have a series of poor games, but it was abundantly clear the criticism from his own fans affected his performances. Why does he get so much hate?

Can you remember the last time James Maddison had a good game? But can you recall the last time he was criticised? Harvey Barnes is an academy product, and very frequently has games where he is completely non-existent, but frequently gets away with it.

Observers regularly label Chilwell similarly: he is too soft, cares too much about his hair, or high fives oppositions players – who are his friends – before a game.  I don’t know about you, but when I play football against a mate – I’m twice as likely to go into a 50/50 with them.

The incident after the Chelsea game – laughing with some friends from the England squad – was drawn way out of proportion. It was badly timed with all the rumours; but Jamie Vardy would not get the same stick if he had a little smile with an opposing player.

And using someone’s personal appearance has absolutely no correlation their performances levels, it’s not like his missing training sessions because the defender is not out getting dolled up.

Yes, he might have the odd bad game, though so can anyone. To actively want someone to leave is a bit too much, considering when that the 23-year-old is possibly in the top-five left backs in the Premier League. Leicester City will be a worse side without Chilwell involved and there is no denying that.