Watford 1-1 Leicester City: Scoring wondergoals will do Ben Chilwell’s chances of a big move no harm

Brendan Rodgers was asked about the likelihood of Ben Chilwell leaving for Chelsea or Manchester City ahead of Leicester’s clash with Watford during a conference with reporters conducted on Zoom.

At first, Rodgers offered a standard manager’s answer: ‘All you can ever do is create an environment where players will feel they can develop and enjoy their football.’

Then he made it intriguing: ‘But I also recognise players may well look beyond Leicester City.’

Ben Chilwell scored a stunning goal in Leicester’s 1-1 draw against Watford on Saturday

The England full-back has been repeatedly linked with a move to Chelsea or Manchester City

Then he backtracked: ‘But I’ve never felt that with Ben.’

So make of that what you will, but after this strike, the speculation will only intensify.

The first touch was exemplary. The second was explosive. Chilwell had endured a difficult afternoon against Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, then he let his frustration out in one whack.

With a swing of his left foot, he beat a fine goalkeeper in Ben Foster at his top corner.

But before that 90th-minute banger, Chilwell fell foul of the social media microscope.

Users were taking to Twitter to lambast his performance, claiming he is overrated and overpriced.

Chilwell (right) had a tough afternoon in defence against tricky winger Ismaila Sarr (left)

Brendan Rodgers (second right) said that Chilwell (left) is not looking beyond Leicester now

Chilwell’s performance was criticised on social media before netting his late wonder goal

It is true £80million is a lot of money, and Watford winger Sarr did have his number on occasion.

Sarr, in doing his homework ahead of this match, may have noticed those headlines and seemed determined to put that price tag to the test at Vicarage Road.

With a drop of the shoulder and burst of speed, he was able to breeze beyond Chilwell at times.

But then the 23-year-old made up for it.

The modern full back is expected to contribute to attack – they are essential to the way teams like Chelsea and City play – and Chilwell certainly did that here.

The modern full-back is expected to attack as well as defend – and Chilwell is capable of both

He is capable of delivering a fine ball into the box and, as evidenced, can unleash a lethal shot.

Chilwell will be aware of the talk of interest in him, even if journalists aren’t allowed into mixed zones to ask him where he sees his future.

The England international is social media savvy, and the replies to his posts are flooded with fans saying everything from ‘welcome to Chelsea’ to ‘Frank Lampard wants you’.

Rodgers has said Leicester would deal with any transfer saga in the same way they dealt with interest in Harry Maguire last summer – although not necessarily with the same outcome.

Maguire ultimately joined Manchester United for £80m.

Scoring goals such as these can hardly hurt Chilwell’s chances of following for a similar fee.