'Seize The Moment' – Elliott's FA Cup Final Message

Matt Elliott is a man who knows how to win a cup final in Leicester City's colours and the Club's hero at Wembley Stadium 21 years ago looked ahead to Saturday's Emirates FA Cup showpiece on LCFC TV this week.

2021-05-14T08:47:00.000Z

Matt Elliott is a man who knows how to win a cup final in Leicester City's colours and the Club's hero at Wembley Stadium 21 years ago looked ahead to Saturday's Emirates FA Cup showpiece on LCFC TV this week.

2021-05-14T08:47:00.000Z

'Seize The Moment' – Elliott's FA Cup Final Message

Matt Elliott is a man who knows how to win a cup final in Leicester City's colours and the Club's hero at Wembley Stadium 21 years ago looked ahead to Saturday's Emirates FA Cup showpiece on LCFC TV this week.

2021-05-14T08:47:00.000Z

'Seize The Moment' – Elliott's FA Cup Final Message

Matt Elliott is a man who knows how to win a cup final in Leicester City's colours and the Club's hero at Wembley Stadium 21 years ago looked ahead to Saturday's Emirates FA Cup showpiece on LCFC TV this week.

2021-05-14T08:47:00.000Z

'Seize The Moment' – Elliott's FA Cup Final Message

Matt Elliott is a man who knows how to win a cup final in Leicester City's colours and the Club's hero at Wembley Stadium 21 years ago looked ahead to Saturday's Emirates FA Cup showpiece on LCFC TV this week.

2021-05-14T08:47:00.000Z

- Leicester City face Chelsea in the final of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday (5:15pm kick-off)- Matt Elliott, a winner of the League Cup with the Foxes in 2000, starred on LCFC TV on Thursday- Speaking on Matchday Minus Two, the former Leicester captain previewed Saturday's clash- City's players must rise to the occasion if they are to win the Club's first FA Cup, Elliott says

Speaking during Matchday Minus Two – a 30-minute preview show broadcast live every week – Elliott, whose brace of headers secured Leicester's third League Cup triumph in 2000 – took a closer look at the details which could settle City's clash with Chelsea.

The Foxes, who have never won the FA Cup, tackle Thomas Tuchel's eight-time winners in a 5:15pm kick-off at the national stadium on Saturday. For Elliott, the desire of Brendan Rodgers' side was on show for all to see in last month's semi-final victory over Southampton.

"There's an extra edge with the lack of wins in this competition for the Football Club," the former captain said. "The post-match celebrations in that Southampton game said it all. [Jamie] Vardy was flat on his back, soaking it all in. The magnitude of the latest chapter of his career was dawning on him.

"He's won the Premier League and represented his country, but this is an FA Cup Final. I'm sure the lads from abroad realise the importance of it as well. [Kelechi] Iheanacho was on his knees. He's been such a big part of Leicester City's positivity over the last two-three months.

"They'd have grown up, I'm sure, even in their respective countries, watching the English FA Cup.

"Now they've got a great chance, if selected, of being involved in it. They've got to see the job through, of course, and they'll be giving their utmost, but if they were to be victorious, what a success and what an achievement it would be."

Cup finals often turn into tense, nervous affairs, largely due to the magnitude of the occasion, and Elliott feels it's likely that Saturday's game will follow that trend. The former Scotland international, however, does believe City can take confidence from their performance against the Blues in January.

Wilfred Ndidi and James Maddison got the goals in a 2-0 victory at King Power Stadium – before Tuchel's appointment at Stamford Bridge. Since then, the Blues have climbed the Premier League standings and reached the final of the UEFA Champions League.

"I imagine it's going to be quite cagey," Elliott added. "I'm pretty sure I know how Chelsea will go about it, but not so much so how Leicester will approach it. It might be like-for-like. That's not to say it won't be an entertaining game, but I think both sides will be cautious at times.

"There might not be too many opportunities to strike, but when they do come around, you've got to make sure you capitalise. It could be quite a tactical affair. In the last game, Chelsea were a little loose, defensively, particularly in set-piece situations.

"You don't expect that from a side of Chelsea's quality. Leicester were excellent on the night, so it won't do any harm to reference that game. It's pretty much the same individuals. Chelsea do look a lot more secure under Tuchel, though, there's no doubt about that.

"But Leicester have the capability and Chelsea will know that as well. They've only met once this season and Leicester came out on top. That will be in Chelsea's minds to a degree, but at the end of the day, it's a cup final. Anything can happen."

Elliott believes the match will be won by the team with the most players who rise to the occasion – just as he did at Wembley in 2000.

"Both sides will play in a controlled manner," the 52-year-old explained. "It might not be exhilarating, but it'll be intriguing. Leicester need to try and seize the moment. Don't shirk away from it. Get in the right positions, make those runs, be aggressive.

"Do all the things which have got you to this point. Make things happen, as many of you as possible, and hopefully, it's your day. There's no golden formula, it's just about making sure you give yourself the best opportunity possible.

"That day 21 years ago happened to be my day. Steve Guppy put the crosses in the right area and I was able to head them in. Another time, it could have been Tags (Gerry Taggart) or Walshy (Steve Walsh) or Frank [Sinclair] who got the goals. You just hope one of the boys can come up with the chance.

"Leicester's players have got so much ability in their ranks, as do Chelsea."

All times BST.

You can get final-ready with a 2020/21 Emirates FA Cup King Power shirt – complete with sleeve badges – all at 50 per cent off, as well as items from our official FA Cup range, online or in the Foxes Fanstore, now!

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