Chelsea boss surprised with Hazard’s omission from PFA Team of the Year

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has admitted that he has been surprised with Eden Hazard’s omission from the PFA Team of the Year. The Belgian has been the club’s standout performer this term with 16 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League, but that was not sufficient to make the list ahead of a host of Manchester City, Liverpool players and Paul Pogba.

Speaking in a press conference, Sarri acknowledged that he was surprised by the snub and said that the decision was probably influenced by the position of the teams on the table, he quipped: “I think Eden deserved to be in the top 11 of the Premier League. I think also at the moment the table is clear, City and Liverpool and then the other teams. I think the vote was influenced by the table.”

10 of the players for the team of the year were selected from Manchester City and Liverpool and none of them presented any surprises. However, the choice of Manchester United’s Paul Pogba ahead of Hazard has certainly presented criticism, considering the former has mostly scored from the penalty spot through the ongoing campaign.

Meanwhile, the future of Hazard at the west London club continues to remain a topic of discussion with the Belgian yet to sign a new contract beyond the summer of 2020. He would be entering the final 12 months ahead of next season and reports have indicated that the Blues could sell him at the right price with Real Madrid leading the hunt.

Chelsea are currently occupying the fourth position on the table with 67 points on the board and they are assured of the top four with victories in the remaining three games. The result, however, won’t come straightforward with away trips to Manchester United and Leicester City alongside a home game against a much-improved Watford outfit.