No Eden Hazard, no problem for Chelsea FC today as they absolutely thrashed Burnley today 4-0. Star men for the Blues today included striker Alvaro Morata and midfielder Ross Barkley, two players who have regained their groove in recent games, finding once again the top form that had been eluding them, for one reason or another, for so long.
The duo have been major contributors to Chelsea’s hot start, with the west London side yet to suffer defeat in any competition this season. (Unless you count the Community Shield as regular season instead of preseason, but we do not). It’s a team game and a team effort, but Eden Hazard is their bonafide superstar.
The Belgian missed this contest due to a back issue, and Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri made it clear afterward that if the 27-year-old is fit to play, he will play, no matter the competition.
“I want Hazard in every match possible, because we have a lot of very good players but Hazard is something different,” said Sarri.
“I am very happy because the team was able to score seven goals in two matches without him. That’s a very good sign, but I want Eden as soon as possible. I don’t know for Wednesday (against Derby County in League Cup competition) but I hope for Sunday (versus Crystal Palace in Premier League play).”
Hazard currently leads the Premier League in scoring with seven goals in in nine appearances.
The win moved Chelsea to second place, two points behind Liverpool. That is of course pending the result of tomorrow night’s blockbuster, Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur. City is one point behind the Blues in third, with Spurs three points behind them in fifth.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.