Chelsea star Eden Hazard has named the two teams who he feels could challenge the Blues for the Premier League title this season, after a weekend of football which saw victories for all ofthe league'stopfour sides.
Hazard led his side to a 2-1 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge to cement the Blues' place at the top of the table, but their lead stayed steady as their main rivals all matched them - although Spurs and Manchester United dropped further points in fifth and sixth places respectively.
Chelsea are in a three-way fight with Liverpool and Man City for title, says Eden Hazard #cfc #mcfc #lfc https://t.co/49uygt7BcB
Quoted bySky Sports, the Belgian snubbed a charging Arsenal when asked for the teams who would challenge his side, instead saying:"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 admitted that Chelsea's lack of European football was helping their league form - with Antonio Conte's side now winning seven straight top-flightgames."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.
"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."
Most Premier League take-ons completed since 2013/14:
Eden Hazard (454)
Wilfried Zaha (305)
Raheem Sterling (272)
Mind the gap. pic.twitter.com/a524xmk0ny
Next weekend sees a crunch clash at the top of the table as the Blues travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City, where they will have to contend with the threat of former Chelsea man Kevin de Bruyne.
Of his international teammate, Hazard admitted:"He's a top player. 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."
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