EPL 2016/17: Chelsea in three-way fight with Liverpool and Manchester City for title, says Eden Hazard
Chelsea star Eden Hazard is of the firm belief that the Premier League title race is a three-way fight, with Manchester City and Liverpool involved alongside the South West London club. Chelsea regained their place at the top after brushing aside Tottenham in a hotly contested London Derby.
The Blues inflicted Spurs with their first defeat of the season, as Antonio Conte's side grow in confidence. The Belgian will now travel with his squad to Manchester, as they face Pep Guardiola's side in what will most likely prove to be a match between future title contenders.
“Man City and Liverpool. They are both good. If we want to be there at the end, then we have to finish above them.”
The 25-year-old knows that a win against City would silence quite a few doubters. “Of course it would. We know it’s always difficult to win there. They beat Burnley and they have a lot of good players – Aguero and De Bruyne. I hope it will be a good game and if we can win there it will be good. We want to keep going like this and we don’t want to stop now. We are full of confidence and we want to win every game.”
Hazard also feels that the fact his side doesn't have to play matches in Europe, means they have more time to prepare for each game. “It’s good. We have one week to prepare for the game and at the end of the week we know what to do when we play.
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"Last year, we were just doing recovery so we weren’t always ready for the game, but that’s not the case now. We’re concentrating on the opposition during the week and give everything. We do lots of tactical work and video work, it depends who we’re playing. We do everything to be prepared.”
Two Belgium teammates will be taking the field on the 3rd of December against each other. Hazard knows the dangers Kevin De Bruyne poses to his side, especially with the player having been on Chelsea's cards before. The midfielder was unceremoniously sold to Wolfsburg for £18 million but returned to England in a £55 million move to Manchester City.
“He’s a top player,” said Hazard. “He didn’t get his chance here at Chelsea, but did very well in Germany and since he went to City he’s been on fire. Sometimes you don’t get the chance to play, or the system the manager uses isn’t right for you, but now he’s full of confidence.
“I hope next week he’ll have less confidence! It’s good for Belgium that two players are fighting for the title in England, but I hope when we go to the national team we don’t fight! We’re good friends.”