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Tale of two Belgians exposes gulf between Chelsea and Man City
LONDON, Dec 7, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – 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.
However, with speculation mounting over whether Hazard will tie his future
to the club by signing a new contract worth a reported œ350,000 ($450,000) a
week or hold out for a move to Real Madrid, the Belgian hasn’t scored in 11
games for club and country dating back two months.
– Silva lining to De Bruyne absence –
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.
Strikers Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud have just six goals between them
in the league all season and after promising a turnaround with a double
against Crystal Palace last month, Morata’s famously fragile confidence looks
shot again.
That dependence on Hazard contrasts sharply with City, who have been
without another Belgian, Kevin de Bruyne, for practically the whole season
and still barely missed a beat.
The outstanding individual in a collective 100-point masterclass as City
stormed to the title last season, De Bruyne has played 81 minutes of league
football this season due to two prolonged spells on the sidelines with
injury.
In his absence, Bernardo Silva has pounced on the chance to shine in a more
central midfield role, freeing up the wings for Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez
and Leroy Sane to wreak havoc.
Sane and Mahrez were on target on Tuesday as City won a seventh straight
league game 2-1 at Watford despite leaving Sterling and many others on the
bench as Pep Guardiola made six changes.
By contrast, Sarri’s decision to make five changes was questioned after
defeat at Wolves.
“I don’t think it depends on the changes; it depends on the mentality of
the team,” said Sarri. “We can lose a match, but not without a reaction.”
Now he needs a reaction against the toughest team of all.
BSS/AFP/MRI/0831 hrs