CHELSEA sent a warning to the rest of the Premier League today – they are serious title contenders.
A raucous Stamford Bridge crowd witnessed the Blues crush Manchester United 4-0 this afternoon thanks to goals from Pedro, Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante.
Only ten days ago, the talk was that Antonio Conte was to be sacked as Chelsea boss, with three leading bookmakers suspending the betting. But now the talk will be much different, as the London club eye a title assault.
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Here, we look at five reasons why Chelsea can win the Premier League this season.
Eden Hazard is finally back
It’s been a long time coming, but Eden Hazard finally reminded the Chelsea fans what he all about.
The Belgian midfielder had a poor 2015/16 season, and it was no surprise Chelsea finished well down the league as a result.
He is the kind of player who can turn a game in an instant. And today, while not quite at the heights he was at for the 2014/15 title-winners, he constantly had the United back line on their toes, and scored a goal for his efforts.
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Strength in depth
Many expected John Terry to walk straight back into the team, but Conte kept faith with the David Luiz–Gary Cahill partnership, and it paid off handsomely today.
They worked together to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic quiet, and Cahill even popped up at the other end to score Chelsea’s second.
Alongside Terry on the bench was Oscar, who wasn’t even brought on, Willian and £33million striker Michy Batshuayi.
With there expected to be more incoming in the January transfer window, Chelsea’s strength in depth could prove vital in the long run.
Good luck charm Kante
The defensive midfielder has been forced to remodel his game somewhat under Conte since making a £30million move from champions Leicester.
Kante is expected to marshal the defence but also push on when the team go forward – and it led to him scoring a fine individual goal today.
He has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge, and as well as his football skills, he could prove Chelsea’s good luck charm after his title-winning history at the King Power Stadium.
Diego Costa contributes even when he doesn’t score
If the scoreline didn’t shock you enough, you might be surprised that Costa wasn’t among four different scorers for Chelsea.
Yet even without finding the back of the net, the Spaniard’s movement allowed his team-mates to get into the dangerous positions that led to goals.
By pulling the Manchester United centre-halves all over the place, it allowed the likes of Hazard, and even later on Kante, to penetrate through the middle. Costa looks set for an eventful season.
Conte seems relaxed
Only ten days ago, Antonio Conte was a goner, three leading bookmakers suspended betting on him being the next Premier League manager to get the boot.
Yet he attended a press conference only a day later, and still as Chelsea manager, smiling and relaxed, brushing off the rumours.
While admittedly on the touchline he is an animated as ever, in the lead up to games, Conte has the self-restraint to ensure he keeps his side on the title hunt.
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