– Only Hasselbaink (84), Drogba (106) and Gudjohnsen (153) reached 50 Premier League goals for Chelsea in fewer games than Hazard (155).
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Antonio Conte was purring like a Cheshire cat after seeing his Chelsea side dispatch Bournemouth in their Boxing Day match at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
Ahead of Boxing Day’s Premier League clash between Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge (15:00), Shoot! took to Federation Internationale de Football Association 17 to predict this festive fixture.
In turn, time will tell as to whether or not it’s enough to force him to consider his options, with a short-term loan deal away from Chelsea for the rest of the season arguably a sensible option to keep him sharp and playing regularly.
“We are better equipped than previous year”, Klopp said.
With a likely front three of Hazard, Willian and Diego Costa, no matter how the Blues fare against Stoke, such is Pedro’s form at the moment that Conte is likely to have him pencilled in to start against Spurs.
“I think today we sent a good message”, said Conte.
Adjusting quickly to their new shape, Chelsea did not concede in the second half and have won every game since playing in that system. “I try to make the best decision for the team, but I’m sure Michy could have the possibility to show his talent in the future”.
Chelsea have won 12 games on the bounce and are now six points ahead of Liverpool and nine in front of Arsenal, with one game left before the turn of the year.
Next weekend as well only the Premier League’s players are going to take the field.
And Nevin believes the options available to Conte are such that Chelsea’s rivals will have a hint of jealousy as clubs such as second-placed Liverpool try and overcome their own injury woes while maintaining the pressure on the Blues.
“After 12 wins in a row, every team who play against Chelsea try also to change their formation”.
“With no Diego Costa or Kante, Chelsea needed another way to win and in its execution this frontline of Willian, Hazard and Pedro was perfection on the day”.
‘We’re happy, we’re winning matches, that’s the important thing.
His unselfishness on the ball and ability to play a final pass has directly led to goals for his strike partners, and his tireless work ethic has created more space for them to operate in, with the movement patterns of the three creating havoc in opposition defenses.
“This is the first time we played without a real forward”, Chelsea manager Conte explained afterwards.
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A long ball from goalkeeper Joel Robles saw Kevin Mirallas score Everton’s first goal when his deflected shot beat Kasper Schmeichel, while Romelu Lukaku made it 2-0.
