Chelsea cruise without Hazard
select someone of Kante’s calibre alongside them. This may not be the most original observation, but never mind Hazard, Kante is the man who makes the difference for Sarri.
The Frenchman was masterful here. Always in the right place at the right time, he took the art of fetching and carrying to new levels of accomplishment. His laser-guided navigation of the midfield was the quantum opposite of Jeff Hendrick, who summed up Burnley’s woes by seemingly never being in a position to affect the course of play. By now, as their team’s mobility was embarrassing their hosts, Chelsea’s supporters were in mischievous mood, chanting that “Accrington Stanley are better than you”. They had a point. Outwitted, outmanoeuvred, outclassed, Burnley were reduced to fouling, Robbie Brady shown a yellow card for tripping Loftus-cheek on a leggy gallop, Johann Berg Gudmundsson for sending Alonso flying. Not that such physicality seemed to constrict Chelsea; Willian added a third goal, as he was allowed to drift across the front of the Burnley defence before hammering a shot beyond Hart.
Kante, though, was not satisfied by mere rout. Charging forward, he tried to set up first the substitute Olivier Giroud, who fell over the ball, then Loftus-cheek, whose shot struck the side-netting. Hart was then required to make another stunning save after Giroud perfectly met Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross and headed goalwards. But, he could do nothing as Loftus-cheek hit his fourth goal in a week, poking home Alonso’s back-heel after a scramble in the box.
Not that such a masterful display changed the manager’s mind about what he thinks is necessary to maintain Chelsea’s turbo-charged start to the season.
“I want Hazard in every match if it’s possible,” Sarri said. “I am very happy because the team were able to score seven goals in two matches without Hazard. But I want Eden [back] as soon as possible.”