‘I believe’ – Eden Hazard makes ‘unexpected’ Chelsea Premeir League position after Tottenham and Manchester City games
Eden Hazard expects Manchester City and Liverpool to be Chelsea’s main rivals for the Premier League title this season but did not name Arsenal as contenders.
The Blues claimed their seventh consecutive league win as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Saturday, but their lead at the top of the table remains just one point on City and Liverpool after they both won, while the Gunners are just three points back having beaten Bournemouth at the weekend.
Hazard, 25, has looked rejuvenated in 2016-17 under manager Antonio Conte following an awful campaign in 2015-16, and the Belgium international believes there will be a three-way race for the title this season, per Reuters: “Man City and Liverpool. They are both good. If we want to be there at the end, then we have to finish above them.”
The Blues had to come from behind to beat Spurs at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Pedro and Victor Moses overturning Christian Eriksen’s first-half strike.
They were unable to extend their lead at the top of the table, though, as City beat Burnley 2-1 and Liverpool downed Sunderland 2-0
Arsenal got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over the Cherries after three consecutive draws in all competitions, and they have still not lost in the league since the opening day of the season.
However, Hazard seemingly does not see the Gunners as realistic rivals to Chelsea as the Blues pursue a fifth Premier League title.
The west London outfit won their fourth championship under Jose Mourinho two seasons ago but endured a torrid 2015-16 campaign as they finished 10th.
Hazard suggested the lack of European football that came as a result of such poor form last term is helping Chelsea in 2016-17, per Reuters:
The Blues have made up significant ground since Conte switched to a 3-4-3 system. After six matches of the current term, Chelsea were down in eighth and eight points back from leaders City.
It is something of a surprise, then, that Hazard seemingly doesn’t feel it possible that Arsenal could bridge the three-point gap to the top, or that Spurs could make up the seven-point margin between them and the Blues.
It is unsurprising that Hazard did not name sixth-place Manchester United as potential contenders, as they will likely struggle to finish in the top four:
However, the Chelsea winger may need to reconsider his title challengers if Arsenal continue their excellent form, as they remain firmly in the mix near the top of the table.
About The Author
