Skip to content

Eden Hazard says Man City and Liverpool are Chelsea's title rivals

Eden Hazard celebates after scoring Chelsea's third goal
Image: Eden Hazard's Chelsea will go to Manchester City top of the table

Eden Hazard says Manchester City and Liverpool are the main threats to Chelsea's Premier League title chances.

Saturday's win against Tottenham means Chelsea will go to the Etihad next weekend top of the table, a point clear of Liverpool and City.

Arsenal, who beat Antonio Conte's side 3-0 earlier in the season, are two points further back, but asked to identify Chelsea's rivals for the title Hazard said: "Man City and Liverpool.

Live Premier League

"They are both good. If we want to be there at the end, then we have to finish above them."

Chelsea have won seven straight league games since that defeat at the Emirates in September, and Hazard reckons last season's failure to qualify for Europe is helping.

"It's good," he said. "We have one week to prepare for the game and at the end of the week we know what to do when we play.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham

"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.

Also See:

"We do lots of tactical work and video work, it depends who we're playing. We do everything to be prepared."

Chelsea will be well prepared for the threat of their former player Kevin De Bruyne, who cost City £55m in 2015 - 18 months after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

Kevin De Bruyne in action during the match against Sunderland
Image: City's Kevin De Bruyne was sold by Chelsea in January 2014

"He's a top player," said Hazard, De Bruyne's Belgium team-mate. "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."

Sky Sports Black Friday sale
Sky Sports Black Friday sale

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price!

Around Sky