Hazard’s departure was greeted with jeers from some fans, another sign of his fragile relationship with Chelsea’s supporters, who were unhappy with his contribution leading up to the sacking of manager Jose Mourinho in December.
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The Belgium global, last season’s PFA Player of the Year, has typified Chelsea’s fall from grace this season.
Next season appears nearly certain to be Chelsea’s first without Champions League football under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, who took over in 2003.
“If they play City, they’ll kill them”.
Hazard started in all 38 of Chelsea’s league games last term, netting 14 goals and providing nine assists in the process.
And the competitive nature of the Premier League means there are no guarantees of a swift return to Europe’s top table. All of the players dream to play in the Champions League – we live for the competition and the games. It’s very hard to be at that level all season.
Caen, Saint-Etienne and Nantes will aim to remain firmly in contention for a top-three finish when they take on Gazelec Ajaccio, Guingamp and Angers respectively. We can fight for the title. Despite his down year, it’s easy to see why Chelsea wouldn’t want to sell him.
Monaco will also be wary that any slip-up could see a revitalised Lyon close the gap in the race for France’s second automatic Champions League qualifying spot.
Costa hauled Chelsea back into the tie against PSG when he equalised in the 27th minute but he left the field injured with half an hour left. Not during a season when the winger has scored only twice – both in the FA Cup – after a 19-goal haul last season. They were knocked out by Barcelona in 2013 and 2015, either side of a defeat to Chelsea.
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John also spoke about his sense that Liverpool are making some progress under Jurgen Klopp, playing well at their best but lacking consistency, while he believes the manager will require “two transfer windows” to build a team in his true image. “If we do well there, then it looks good”.
