Winning trophies is more important than a new stadium - that’s the opinion of Chelsea star Eden Hazard.
While Tottenham Hotspur are posting record annual profits and enjoying their new surroundings, Hazard is happy that Chelsea are flying under the radar in the race to finish in the Premier League top four and qualify for the Uefa Champions League.
On Wednesday Spurs beat Crystal Palace 2-0 to go back above Arsenal into third while Chelsea were 3-0 winners against Brighton and moved into fifth.
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With six matches remaining the Blues are level on points with fourth-placed Arsenal and only one behind Tottenham. Manchester United, in sixth, are two points behind Chelsea. Arsenal also have a game in hand.
Speaking to The Guardian after scoring in the win against Brighton, the Belgian said: “People are not talking about Chelsea for the top four and I like that. We are quiet, in fifth or sixth, and then we can just be ready for the next game.
“We want to go game after game. We have hard matches coming up against Liverpool and Manchester United, but Chelsea is a top club. We like this challenge so we will go to these teams and try to win because, at the end, we want top four.”
The 28-year-old has been regularly linked with a move to Real Madrid having helped Chelsea win five major trophies in his seven years at Stamford Bridge.
Talking about Chelsea’s London rivals, he accepts that Spurs are doing well but they are yet to bring in any silverware. He also doesn’t believe that there’s been a power shift in London now Tottenham have moved into their £1bn new home.
“I think Tottenham, for two or three years, have been one of the best teams in England,” Hazard added. “That is for sure. I don’t like that, to be fair - we are Chelsea, and it is a big derby against them - but we have to accept it.
“For the Premier League it is good: a new stadium, they have top players. But, in the end, you know at Chelsea we have won a lot of trophies, and they have not. So I hope this continues.”
Chelsea’s next Premier League game is a London derby against West Ham on Monday 8 April (8pm) and they then play away in the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Slavia Prague on Thursday 11 April (8pm).
Premier League results
Tuesday 2 April
- Watford 4 Fulham 1
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Manchester United 1
Wednesday 3 April
- Chelsea 3 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
- Manchester City 2 Cardiff City 0
- Tottenham Hotspur 2 Crystal Palace 0
Premier League fixtures and TV guide
Friday 5 April
- Southampton vs. Liverpool (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
Saturday 6 April
- AFC Bournemouth vs. Burnley (3pm)
- Huddersfield Town vs. Leicester City (3pm)
- Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace (3pm)
Sunday 7 April
- Everton vs. Arsenal (2.05pm, live on Sky Sports)
Monday 8 April
- Chelsea vs. West Ham United (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
FA Cup semi-final fixtures
Saturday 6 April
- Manchester City vs. Brighton and Hove Albion (5.30pm, live on BBC One)
Sunday 7 April
- Watford vs. Wolves (4pm, live on BT Sport)
