Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard says the club are aiming for a top-four finish this campaign rather than looking to be Premier League champions.

Tottenham ended the Blues’ unbeaten start to the season on Saturday, and the Belgian midfielder believes Manchester City are in pole position to retain their crown:

“We’re thinking about finishing in the top four, not to be the champions. We know City are not much better than Chelsea but they are better at the moment.”

“In what areas are City better? A lot. Possession. When they have chances, they score. Maybe defensively they are better. They have top players.”

“Their consistency as well, winning game after game. They are in a good momentum since last year and we need to be back like this.”

Hazard is echoing manager Maurizio Sarri‘s claims that Chelsea are not ready to challenge at the top of the table quite yet.

The defeat against Spurs would have given added backing to that argument, and it seems that the players are following the manager’s belief that it will take time to build a title-winning side once again.

Chelsea finished fifth last campaign after winning the Premier League in 2016/17, and during that time City have set new standards for what is needed to finish top of the league.

Pep Guardiola’s team currently have 35 points from a possible 39 after 13 matches this campaign. They won the league last season with a record 100 points.