Eden Hazard absence provides Chelsea with new chance to prove title credentials

According to reports, Chelsea will be without Eden Hazard when they travel to Stoke. The Belgian’s absence provides the Blues with a chance to show their strength in depth.

Reports surfaced on Saturday morning that Eden Hazard did not travel to Stoke with his Chelsea teammates. A thigh injury is the issue, apparently, and thus the Belgian is unavailable. However, this presents the Blues with yet another chance to prove why they are deserving of the Premier League title.

Belgian journalist, Kristof Terreur, tweeted the following on Saturday morning (H/T Express).

The Belgian has been in fine form for Chelsea this season. After the disaster that was last season, Hazard is once again showing why he should be in discussions regarding the best player in world football. His 11 league goals and four assists have been material reward for some quite dazzling displays, the latest of which came against Manchester United last Monday.

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Hence, his unavailability is a blow for Antonio Conte as Chelsea face the notoriously tough trip to Stoke. Mark Hughes has built a solid platform, picking up where predecessor Tony Pulis left off. Moreover, he has added an attacking dynamic to a defensively resolute team. The difficulty is no longer solely in breaking Stoke down, but also being wary of their counter-attacking threat.

In such a contest, Hazard would be invaluable. He has the ability to take on three or four players and create that moment of magic that is needed.

However, Chelsea now have a chance to show that they can overcome an obstacle as tricky as Stoke without their talisman. Pedro and Willian will likely both start and the duo have been in fine form. They have a chance to directly square off with each other to show Conte who should play alongside Hazard on a regular basis.

A win would see the Blues head into the international break with at least a ten point lead. Only ten games remain on the schedule after Saturday and such a lead will essentially secure the title. As POL contributor Martin Connolly wrote, Chelsea’s biggest enemy through the end of the season is themselves.

The trip to the bet365 Stadium will be an exercise in composure. Hazard will not be around to dance through the defence, so the Blues will need to build patiently and take their chances. Cesc Fabregas will probably partner N’Golo Kante in the midfield and the onus will be on him to pick that perfect pass.

Can Chelsea come through this latest challenge intact? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!