Chelsea facing acid test against Liverpool

Boasting arguably the best player in the Premier League in Eden Hazard and an unbeaten start under new coach Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea has emerged as a surprise challenger for the EPL title ahead of Saturday's clash with leader Liverpool.

In a chaotic summer at Stamford Bridge, Sarri was only officially announced as Antonio Conte's successor a month before the new season got underway, FIFA's goalkeeper of the year Thibaut Courtois went AWOL to force a move to Real Madrid and Hazard also expressed interest in a move to the Spanish giant.

Yet, rather than fall further behind after finishing in sixth place, 30 points back of Manchester City last season, Chelsea has stolen a march on Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal to nestle alongside City just two points behind Liverpool.

A soft start with Huddersfield, Arsenal, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Cardiff and West Ham in his first six Premier League games have helped Sarri settle in.

But the acid test for where Chelsea's title ambitions stand will come when Liverpool visits, looking to extend its perfect start to the Premier League season.

Sarri has repeatedly insisted his side can't yet be compared to City or Liverpool in its third full seasons under Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

"We started to work together 40 days ago, so for us I think it is a bit early," said the Italian. "We have to work, we need to improve and then maybe, in one year, we will be at the same level of Liverpool."

However, his transformation of Chelsea's style from the cautious approach of Antonio Conte to a side that asphyxiates opponents by dominating possession has been so seamless, a title challenge can't be ruled out.

"It's the biggest change I ever saw in such a short space of time. Wow! The style completely different. What a manager Sarri is, to be honest," Klopp said this week.

While Chelsea struggled in Conte's second season, it also boasts much more title experience than Liverpool, with many of the same squad having won the Premier League in 2016-17.

"People were always talking about City being clear, and completely forgot Chelsea," said Klopp.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 09/29/2018 page11)