Acid test for Chelsea’s ambitions
BIG CLASH Even with Hazard in good form, Blues’ title bid will be severely tested by Liverpool in their early season faceoff
LONDON: Boasting arguably the best player in the Premier League in Eden Hazard and an unbeaten start under new coach Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea have emerged as surprise challengers for the title ahead of their meeting with leaders Liverpool on Saturday.
In a chaotic summer at Stamford Bridge, Sarri was only officially announced as Antonio Conte’s successor a month before the new season got underway, FIFA’S goalkeeper of the year Thibaut Courtois went AWOL to force a move to Real Madrid and Hazard also expressed interest in a move to the Spanish giants.
Yet, rather than fall further behind after finishing sixth and 30 points adrift of Manchester City last season, Chelsea have stolen a march on Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal to nestle alongside City just two points behind leaders Liverpool.
A soft start with Huddersfield, Arsenal, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Cardiff and West Ham in his first six Premier League games have helped Sarri settle in.
REDS ON A GREAT RUN
However, the acid test for where Chelsea’s title ambitions stand will come when Liverpool visit on Saturday looking to extend their 100 percent start to the Premier League season.
Sarri has repeatedly insisted his side can’t yet be compared to City or Liverpool in their third full seasons under Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
“We have started to work together 40 days ago. So for us I think it is a bit early,” said the Italian. “We have to work, we need to improve and then maybe, in one year, we will be at the same level of Liverpool.”
However, his transformation of Chelsea’s style from the cautious approach of Antonio Conte to a side that asphyxiates opponents by dominating possession has been so seamless, a title challenge can’t be ruled out. “The biggest change I ever saw in such a short space of time. Wow. Style completely different. What a manager he is, to be honest,” said Klopp admiringly this week.
While Chelsea struggled in Conte’s second season, they also boast much more title winning experience than Liverpool with many of the same squad having won the Premier League in 2014/15 and 2016/17.
“People were always talking about City being clear, and completely forgot Chelsea,” added the Liverpool manager. MANCHESTER: in this area with the trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane presenting them with a better balance than Chelsea attackers. dependent on in the final third
in this part of the field with new recruit Jorginho pulling the strings in midfield and to keep him company will be N’golo Kante, who will look to disrupt Liverpool’s free-flowing game.
is the heartbeat of their midfield. Also, it will be interesting to see how new recruit Naby Keita goes about his business with this being his first big test of the season in the league. Chelsea won Drawn Liverpool won in the absence of a potent goal-scorer upfront. The Belgian so far has answered the call with five goals in the league and mid-week’s
League Cup goal against the same opponents will have the Reds on their toes. Chelsea beat Liverpool 1-0 at the Stamford Bridge on May 6, 2018
the Reds’ defence has conceded only two goals so far and seems to be better marshalled than Chelsea. Also, the Blues are sweating over the injuries to regular centre-back pairing of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. If they fail to recover, manager Sarri may have to go in with reserves Gary Cahill and David Luiz.
on how the wing backs perform. Chelsea will line up with Marcos Alonso on the left and Cesar Azpilicueta on right, while Liverpool will have Andrew Robertson on left and Alexander-arnold on the right.
matches without a clean sheet against Chelsea is their longest against a top flight opponent since a streak of 17 against Blackburn. live on Star Sports Select 1, Select 1 HD, live on Star Sports Select 2,
to win their first seven matches of a top-flight campaign for only the second time, after doing so in 1990/91. Chelsea are the only side to win their opening seven PL fixtures, in 2005/06. Star Sports Select 2 HD,
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