manager has claimed are the best team his side have faced this term.
Earlier in the season, the Blues beat Leicester 3-0 as goals from Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic strengthened their bid for the Premier League title.
Since then, injuries and off the field problems emanating from government sanctions on their owner Roman Abramovich has halted Chelsea’s momentum, with the west Londoners now 20 points behind leaders .
However, Rodgers remembers how impressed he was with Chelsea at the King Power and believes they will come back stronger next season under manager .
Speaking ahead of their Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, he said: ‘I’m a big admirer of Chelsea and the team and the work Thomas has done there.
‘I would go as far as to say they are the best team we have played this season. When we played them early on in the season they were at the top of their game. I thought they were outstanding.
‘Not long after that moment they lost some players. I’ve said it before, even with squads like Chelsea’s you need your top players available.
‘Over the course of the time they have had players out, key players who make the systems function to the highest level.
‘Then obviously there’s the distractions behind the scenes and of course that’s a challenge.
‘But what I do know is they’ve got an outstanding manager who has done a fantastic job since he’s been there. They’ve got a group of really good players, top, top talents.’
Chelsea failed to defend their Champions League crown this season after being knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, after losing the League Cup final to Liverpool in February, the Blues were defeated by the Reds again in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Following a season which promised so much, Tuchel looked devastated after being defeated at Wembley for a third time in his career.
But Rodgers thinks the German’s side deserve praise rather than condemnation despite not winning a trophy this season.
He said: ‘I saw them lose in the FA Cup final but they have so much courage because they keep getting there.
‘You’d rather be in there and losing finals – of course you want to win – but you’d rather be arriving there knowing it’s going to drop your way and you’re going to win in the future.
‘So they are a top team, with top players and they are in the Champions League next season, and I expect them to be up there challenging again next season.’
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