I Don’t Agree That Chelsea Is Out Of The Title Race – Hazard

Eden Hazard has said he believes Chelsea are still serious contenders for the EPL title despite their recent poor form.

Asked whether defending champions Chelsea were being chased out of the title race already, Hazard said: “I don’t agree with that.

“The difference between this year and last year is Manchester City and United are stronger. We are ready, we know the Premier League is long, so we have time to come back.”

“I think it’s different this season because we play in the Champions League,” he said.

“Last season, it was easier to play every game every week. We were fresh. Now it’s different, but we need to adapt to the situation. We will give everything, but I think we’re on the same level as last year.

“We have just two training sessions to focus on a game. Last year we had a whole week to be ready. So yes it’s a little bit different, but we are professionals and we adapt quickly.”

The draw with Roma puts more pressure on the return game in Italy. Chelsea top Group C on seven points, but Roma are just two points behind them.

Hazard said: “We should have won this game. We were 2-0 up at half-time, but a draw is not a bad result. We have to do better against Roma in Italy next time.

“It was just a draw — we were not happy, but we were also happy that we didn’t concede a third defeat in a row.

“We just want to move on, try to focus on the next game against Watford. We will try to give everything in the next game.”