Rio Ferdinand has backed Ben Chilwell after the Chelsea defender goaded Leicester City supporters with his goal celebration.
Chilwell left Leicester to join the London side in 2020 in a deal worth £45m and was on target against his former team at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
After volleying home after just 11 minutes, he celebrated by sliding in front of the home support with his ears cupped, infuriating the home fans having received a frosty reception back at his old club.
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Chelsea went onto seal a 3-1 victory against Brendan Rodgers’ side with Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic also on the score sheet.
Chilwell later insisted there was no bad blood between him and the Leicester fans. ‘I really enjoy coming back here and seeing all of the old faces that I used to see all the time day to day,’ Chilwell said.
‘But when it’s that 90 minutes on the pitch, of course, I’m going to give everything to win the game for Chelsea, and thankfully today I contributed with a goal.’
Ferdinand insist Chilwell had every right to ‘give a bit back’ after the treatment he got from Leicester fans.
‘They boo him!’ Ferdinand told Five. ‘I watched the game there last year. They got 50-odd million for this kid, a left-back right, out of Covid, and they are booing him.
‘But they got more than they probably should have got for him. He done a great job there, and they are booing him for going to Chelsea.
‘It doesn’t make sense. So good, I’m glad he done that, give them a bit back, they deserved it. They should respect him.’
Chiwell has been back in the Chelsea team in recent weeks having recovered from a hamstring injury, starting the last four Premier League matches and the Champions League ties against Dortmund.
