Struggling Chelsea face City test
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. Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of Maurizio Sarri’s tactics but when Manchester City visit Chelsea on Saturday night, his focus will be on extending the gap between the two teams. With the Citizens flying high, HT looks at the talking points ahead of the blockbuster clash: If they lose to
Both have played a key role in whatever City have achieved Lost Avg goals scored/match Avg goals conceded/match Clean sheets Avg chances created/match
TV TIMINGS 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. 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 and SS Select 2, 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. MAURIZIO SARRI, Chelsea manager Man City won