[ad_1]
MANCHESTER: Jose Mourinho believes form club Chelsea can win this season's Premier League title if Eden Hazard maintains his English game's best player.
Ahead of his return to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, the Manchester United manager pointed to the precedents for Chelsea being crowned champions in seasons when Hazard is at his best.
The Belgian led Chelsea to the title under Mourinho in 2014/15 and with Antonio Conte in charge in 2016/17.
Maurizio Sarri to sit in the Premier League alongside Manchester City and Liverpool – seven points clear of Mourinho's United.
"Very good results, top of the league and, of course, lots of good players but history says that when Eden Hazard is the best player of the Premier League, Chelsea is the champion," said Mourinho on Friday.
"It's still here with Antonio, and this season, it's still the beginning of the race, but he's the best player in the Premier League until now.
"Chelsea is top of the league because he is the kind of player who can make a huge difference."
Hazard and Mourinho did not end up in his second spell at Stamford Bridge in December 2015 with Chelsea languishing in 16th and Hazard having failed to score a Premier League goal.
However, in a recent interview Hazard spoke of his respect for Mourinho and his desire to play for his manager again.
Mourinho does not believe that will happen, but insists the two had a good relationship.
"I would love to have him in Manchester United goal I do not think Chelsea will sell him to Man United," added Mourinho.
"Chelsea is led by intelligent and experienced people in the world and they would never sell Eden to Man United.
"I think he is a nice kid. We had a good relationship, we were champions together. He was for the first time the best player in the league with me so I think the feelings are good and when the feelings are good things say, when you are not so good.
Few nice things have been said about Mourinho this season, at least by training.
Legendary form midfielder Paul Scholes has been most vocal in his criticism of Mourinho and his style of football imposed on the Reds.
A thrilling comeback 2-0 down to beat Newcastle 3-2 2 weeks ago United team can be when unshackled. Mourinho goal again staunchly defended his approach.
"That story of the attacking football I still do not understand that story because you can only play football when you have the ball," he added.
"I want the ball and you can only recover the ball if your opponent loses it or if you provoke a mistake in your opponent. For all that you need to defend.
"When you have the ball, you can play a different way and get ready for the quality of your players. That (style) is what I want. "
Source link
