After last season’s travails, both Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois have returned to their excellent forms of two years ago, leading to a similar resurrection in Chelsea‘s designs on Premier League dominance ... as well as the return of Spanish transfer rumors.
It’s the latter storyline that was a main topic of conversation with Thibaut Courtois after Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over Manchester City, as the Chelsea goalkeeper talked up the importance of the two-goal hero.
"Eden is one of the best players in the world. Chelsea have ambitions to win the Champions League again and always look to play for the title. If you want to do that, you need the biggest players and he is obviously a big part of that."
"He is not affected by it. They are just rumours. He is just calm. He knows that he is important to Chelsea, like I do. We are both very happy to be here. This was my 100th game for Chelsea and I hope for many more."
Hazard provided further poetic symmetry by first missing, then scoring on the rebound from his penalty kick against Manchester City, echoing the title-clinching goal against Crystal Palace from the 2014-15 season. While Chelsea are not yet mathematically confirmed for the title, Wednesday’s three points against the pre-season title favorites have gone a long way towards restoring any confidence that may have been sapped by the surprise defeat at the weekend.
"Eden is a great player and showed it again against Manchester City. It was a great first goal. His penalty was from the rebound, which reminded me a bit of what happened against Crystal Palace when we clinched the League two years ago. Hopefully it will go the same way."
"He is fantastic, but he works hard for the team too and did a lot defensively, which is what we need from him. I am very happy for him."
-Thibaut Courtois; Source: London Evening Standard
All for one and one for all!