HAZARD QUERIES CONTE'S TACTICS

Chelsea's best player Eden Hazard, was certainly not at his best when his team played against the champions-elect Manchester City on Sunday. The player did not hide his fraustration at being played out of position as well as the tactics deployed by the Chelsea coach.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea's best player was reduced to just harrying Manchester City players in possession and trying to out-jump towering defenders as long balls were launched from the back.

Hazard's obvious dejection over what had transpired was reflected in his post-match comments.

When you leave the pitch you have the impression that you’ve ran, but that you haven’t played a game of football. That’s a pity," he told members of the Belgian media after game. 

We could have played on for three hours, and I wouldn’t touch a ball. Only at the end it went better: in the last 10-15 minutes we had more possession. But we should have tried to do that all game.”

“I try to jump towards the long balls. I played today against Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte. It’s not easy to win duels against them."

We haven’t played with our qualities. If Giroud or Alvaro Morata would have played upfront, it would have been easier to play those long balls. With me, its a little bit more complicated, but I’ve tried to give my best.”

Defeat at the Etihad Stadium sees Chelsea trail fourth-place Tottenham by five points, and third-placed Manchester United by six.