Transfer misses won't stop Chelsea from contending in Premier League and Champions League says Eden Hazard
Chelsea signed Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta late, but missed out on Fernando Llorente, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley amongst others
Eden Hazard believes Chelsea boast a squad capable of challenging on all fronts, despite the Blues missing out on a number of transfer targets.
Chelsea sealed late deals for midfielder Danny Drinkwater and defender Davide Zappacosta, but boss Antonio Conte was gazumped by Tottenham for Fernando Llorente and Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
There was further frustration when Everton playmaker Ross Barkley pulled out of a deal to join the Blues at the last minute.
Chelsea summer transfer targets
Show all 8
Belgium star Hazard remains convinced however that Chelsea have the power to fight for silverware across the board - especially amid their return to the Champions League.
"I think this year will be no different from the previous years, in the sense that every year it is difficult, especially when you play in many competitions," he said. "This year we have the Champions League as well and it is not easy to succeed in multiple competitions. But we will do our best and we have got depth in our squad so sometimes maybe one or two players can rest so they are 110 per cent for the next competition.
"We just want to win as many trophies as possible, for me personally I haven't won the Champions League so maybe that one would be a little bit more special, but I would prefer us to win everything."
Hazard missed the start of Chelsea's new campaign owing to an ankle injury, but has returned to action with Belgium across the international break.
The 26-year-old hailed Blues boss Conte as one of the world's top managers as the Stamford Bridge club set about defending their Premier League crown.
"I have a good relationship with all my managers," said Hazard. "You know we train every day together and we can talk together and laugh together. So yes absolutely we have a good relationship, I wouldn't say 'friends' because it is difficult to be friends with your manager so I wouldn't say that but we have a good relationship.
"I think we have got one of the best managers in the world. So we are really happy with him."
Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment.
The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates.
Comments
Share your thoughts and debate the big issues
About The Independent commenting
Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment.
The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates.
Delete Comment
Report Comment
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.