'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Currently, Chelsea sits atop the English Premier League table along with Manchester City. They have won six out of eight fixtures and drawn two. Like Manchester City, they are still unbeaten and seems unstoppable at times.
Their defence seems impenetrable under their new coach, Maurizio Sarri. Even when the opposition managed to break their barriers, they managed to play some terrific football upfront and outscore them.
Their attack is fluid, free-flowing with short passes and the players have quickly adapted to the philosophy of their new man in charge, Maurizio Sarri. Fans at the Stamford Bridge are already in love with the way their new team is performing and for good reasons. Let us quickly evaluate three reasons why Chelsea are the team to beat this season.
#3. Sarriball
What is Sarriball?
It is the name given to the tactics used by Maurizio Sarri which was popularized since his Napoli days. After almost delivering a shock Scudetto in his successful Napoli stint, Sarri moved to Chelsea and more importantly, brought his enigmatic football with him.
Sarri managed to rejuvenate Chelsea who finished fifth last season. He increased the tempo which was relatively low in Antonio Conte's last few months at Chelsea with quick, short passes and a more efficient and direct way of football.
Maurizio Sarri made Chelsea's defence tighter, too. According to his own words, he won't 'open the door if they knock'. David Luiz found his form back under Sarri and with fullbacks like Alonso and Azpilicueta by his side, Chelsea defence looks formidable and almost unbreakable at times.
Sarri won plaudits from both fans and critics whilst quickly making a new set of players adapt to his style of play. In his own words, it was nothing but hard work. Sarri admitted to preparing for days before a match and working for 8-10 hours per day which is another reason for his superb start with Chelsea.
#2. The perfect midfield trio
With a workhorse like N'Golo Kante by his side, Jorginho really made a huge impact at Chelsea. His short, quick passing combined with a matured knowledge of space and when to release the ball changed Chelsea's outlook overnight and is one of the main reasons for Chelsea's unbeaten run this season.
From Napoli, Maurizio Sarri managed to convince Jorginho to join Chelsea. He was the main focal point of Napoli's brilliance in the last season and quickly stamped his excellence this season with the London club.
Chelsea also brought Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid on a season-long loan which is turning out to be special for the Croatian lad. He managed to impress Sarri in no time and his dribbling and vision with undying energy really bode well for Chelsea.
Sarri also managed to hand Kante an advanced role which was a change for arguably the world's best defensive midfielder but he steadily made an impact with his newfound role. The trio of Jorginho, Kante and Kovacic make Chelsea's midfield the most energetic and stable in the English Premier League.
#1. Eden Hazard
Going by his current form, Eden Hazard is one of the best in the world. He is sweeping past the field, dribbling past defenders and rendering every obstacle in his path completely useless. He has been consistently spitting fire on the left wing and quashed any criticisms that were thrown his way with his superb performances.
Since being one of the best players in the World Cup, Eden Hazard has carried that form into this current season. He has scored six goals already in the English Premier League and created two and sits atop the goal tally.
Sarri managed to unleash the Belgian warrior who was bound by defensive responsibilities under the previous managers at Chelsea. According to Hazard, Sarriball suits best to his style and evidently so.
It will be interesting to see how long he can keep his hot streak going but if he continues the way he has been playing, rest of the teams in the English Premier League would find it extremely difficult to win the title this season.
