Window is no Hazard for Blues
SEAN DYCHE insists everyone outside the big six is involved in a fight to stay in the Premier League.
Burnley host Newcastle tonight with just two league wins this season. Games against fellow strugglers will decide the Clarets’ fate, but Dyche believes many more are in the mix than just those towards the bottom of the table:
“Anyone outside the top six – by the top six I also mean Manchester United who’ve been flirting in and Sam Vokes first goalscorer out of it – anyone outside of that will have to work for the points,” he said.
“Bournemouth have had a great start and might end up in the top six but you think Man United will find a way. Watford have had a great start but over a season it’s very tough. We had a fine season last season and still had a spell of 11 games without a win.
“There used to be the idea there were three divisions within the division but I think it’s now the big six and the rest.” BURNLEY: NEWCASTLE: REFEREE: HEAD2HEAD:
ODDS: EDEN HAZARD has vowed not to leave Chelsea in the lurch in January.
The Belgium playmaker will have just a year left on his contract at the end of the season, and has made no secret of his interest in playing for Real Madrid at some point in his career.
Hazard, 27, has so far refused to sign an extended deal at Stamford Bridge, insisting he will make a decision over his future in the summer.
He again admitted last night that Real are “the club of my dreams”, but ruled out moving anywhere during the winter transfer window.
And, speaking on French TV, he even hinted he could still prolong his time in west London.
He said: “I have one year left [on my contract] in June. If I don’t extend, a move is possible. I can’t see myself leaving in January. I wouldn’t do that to the club, or to the fans. Next summer, it’s a possibility, but it’s also possible that I will spend the rest of my career at Chelsea.
“And, for now, I’m only concentrating on Chelsea.”
Paris Saint-Germain have long been interested in Hazard, but the star claimed the only French club he would join is his former side, Lille.
He said: “I had contact with PSG, but it did not tempt me. I have always said that if I came back to Ligue 1, it would be to Lille.”
Hazard also paid tribute to France and Arsenal striking legend Thierry Henry, who last month quit his No.2 role with Belgium to take over as manager of Monaco.
Hazard added: “It was a joy to have him with us for two years. It was great to work alongside him. When he speaks, you listen.”