Struggling Chelsea face City test
Theysay
STAND & DELIVER Out-of-form Hazard’s performance will be crucial if Blues are to harbour any hopes of toppling leaders LONDON:
Chelsea’s Premier League title challenge to Manchester City has faded dramatically in recent weeks as Eden Hazard’s goals have dried up to leave Maurizio Sarri’s men 10 points adrift of the champions ahead of Saturday’s clash between the sides at Stamford Bridge.
Even in the midst of an 18-game unbeaten run after City eased past the Blues 2-0 in the Community Shield in August, Sarri insisted Chelsea wouldn’t be able to last the pace against a team he considers the best in Europe. However, the Italian admitted his concern at the scale of his side’s downturn in recent weeks as defeats at Tottenham and then at Wolves where Chelsea capitulated from 1-0 up to lose 2-1 on Wednesday. Those losses as well as a goalless home draw with Everton mean Chelsea are hanging onto their top-four place only on goal difference.
“City are the best team in Europe, maybe the best in the world,” said Sarri. “Manchester City are in another category. We have to play and to fight to be in the top four.” It is no coincidence that Chelsea’s dip has coincided with Hazard’s early season hot streak cooling off.
The Belgian captain stood out as an exception to many players suffering a World Cup hangover. After being crowned the second best player on show in Russia, Hazard scored seven goals in his first six league starts of the season. At the time, Sarri talked of Hazard having the potential to score 40 goals in a campaign although his previous best for Chelsea was 19.
The Belgian hasn’t scored in 11 games for club and country dating back two months.
Sarri has blamed a series of niggling injuries as a demanding summer has finally started to take its toll. “It’s normal at the moment he isn’t at the top of his physical condition,” added the Italian this week.
Yet, it is clear that without Hazard firing, Chelsea will struggle to even see off Tottenham and Arsenal for a place in the top four, let alone challenge the unbeaten City or Liverpool for the title. Chelsea were unbeaten in their first 12 league games, determinedly hanging on to the coat-tails of Manchester City and Liverpool. But after losing two of their last three league games, the gap between them has extended. If they lose to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will be without key players Kevin De Bruyne, out with knee injury, and Sergio Aguero, suffering from a muscle injury which may weaken them slightly when taking on a top team like Chelsea.
Both have played a key role in whatever City have achieved If Chelsea take a cue from City’s last three matches in all competitions, they have shown signs of susceptibility when the opposition employ high-press counter attack. Chelsea
TV TIMINGS
Won Drawn Lost Avg goals scored/match Avg goals conceded/match Clean sheets Avg chances created/match Bournemouth v Liverpool, live on Star Sports Select 2 &
HD, 6:00pm
Arsenal v Huddersfield, live on Star Sports Select 1, 8:30pm Manchester United v Fulham, live on Star Sports Select 1 HD league leaders, they will be looking at a yawning gap of 13 points which will be difficult to bridge considering the fact that City are currently unstoppable. under
Guardiola.
While there is enough cover for De Bruyne in the midfield, same can’t be said for Aguero as Gabriel Jesus hasn’t been able to find his best form this season. And the team who have done that are Lyon, in the Champions League, and Bournemouth and Watford in the league. All of them used pace and pressed them hard, robbing them of time on the ball. Man City andSSSelect2,8:30pm Chelsea v Manchester City, live on Star Sports Select 1 & HD, 11:00pm
Leicester City v Tottenham, live on Star Sports Select 1 & HD, 1:15am (Sun) Chelsea won Played straight league games Man City have won entering Saturday’s game and are unbeaten in the league this season.
league home games Chelsea are unbeaten in this season. They have won five and drawn three.
away league matches City are unbeaten in. They have never gone 15 without defeat on road in top flight.
City are the best team in Europe, maybe the best in the world. They are in another category. We have to play and to fight to be in the top four MAURIZIO SARRI,
Chelsea manager
Man City won