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Premier League title race: Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas admit they don't want Tottenham to win the title

Chelsea face both Tottenham and Leicester in the coming weeks and could have a major say on the destination of the Premier League title

Jack de Menezes

Sunday 24 April 2016 12:39 BST

Eden Hazard celebrates after scoring for Chelsea against Bournemouth (Getty)

Eden Hazard has admitted that Chelsea do not want Tottenham to win the Premier League title, an admission that brings into question their determination to beat Leicester on the final day of the season in a game that could have a huge say in the destination of the Premier League trophy.

The Blues face Spurs next weekend before taking on Leicester on 15 May and Guus Hiddink’s side could have a major impact on determining the eventual champions.

With Leicester set to be without key striker Jamie Vardy for at least one game – and more likely two after he accepted a Football Association charge for improper conduct following his dismissal against West Ham last weekend – the title race could go right down to the final day of the season.

Leicester face a trip to Stamford Bridge on the final day, but Hazard’s admission that no one at the London club wants Spurs to win the title raises doubts over how Chelsea will perform against the Foxes given that the blues have nothing to play for this season.

"The fans, the club, the players, we don't want Tottenham to win the Premier League," Hazard told BBC's Match of the Day.

"We hope for Leicester because they deserve to be champions this season.

"We have a good game next week against Tottenham and if we can beat them it will be good."

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

Show all 14

1/1414 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Diego Costa

The controversial striker is reportedly unhappy in England and believes that the country’s referees and media are targeting him. A move back to Atletico Madrid could be on the cards if the new manager cannot convince him to stay.

Getty

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Thibaut Courtois

The goalkeeper’s form has suffered since his knee injury earlier this season and, according to reports, Conte could cash in while the Belgium international’s value remains high. A wise move?

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Radamel Falcao

The desperately out-of-form striker has confirmed that he will return to Monaco for pre-season training, bringing an end to what has been a disastrous two-year spell in England.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Loic Remy

Another player in need of a fresh start. He’s been a small fish in a big pond ever since joining Chelsea but has enough quality to become the focal point of an attack elsewhere.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Nemanja Matic

His fall from grace has slightly overlooked this season. Imperious upon arrival, he’s fallen behind John Obi Mikel in the pecking order – a state of affairs that many would barely be able to believe this time last year.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Alexandre Pato

Despite his brilliant debut at Villa Park, the Brazilian may have done too little too late to earn a permanent contract. Any offer would be a mistake unless he can definitively answer questions over his fitness.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Oscar

One of the few players in the squad who can provide the odd moment of magic but infuriatingly inconsistent. The Brazil international can still command a decent market price and is therefore dispensable.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Nathan Ake (Watford)

The 21-year-old defender spent last season on loan with Watford, and he will continue his Premier League education this term with Bournemouth after joining the Cherries in a season-long loan.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Romelu Lukaku (Everton)

The Belgium international has made no secret of his desires to play for a Champions League club and, according to The Independent’s Mark Ogden, Conte has made him his number one priority this summer.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)

Formerly an all-action enforcer in Conte’s successful Juventus sides, the Chile international would bring steel and dynamism to Chelsea’s central midfield. The likelihood of prising him Bayern Munich’s hands, however, could be slim.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Radja Nainggolan (Roma)

A suitable back-up plan if Vidal is not a practical target. The Belgium international has the quality to fit in at an elite club.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> John Stones (Everton)

Chelsea’s high-profile pursuit of the defender was ultimately fruitless and, in the time since, he’s shown he’s probably not yet worth Everton’s asking price of £40million. However, with Terry on his way, a centre-back is needed. Will Conte pay the premium on Stones’ potential?

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Andreas Christensen (Borussia Monchengladbach)

The 19-year-old defender is currently on loan in Germany and his current club are desperate to make the deal permanent, so impressive has he been. Chelsea, however, would be foolish to let another talented youngster slip from out their grasp, especially when he could be a cut-price improvement in a key area.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)

Conte’s arrival could be the reprieve that the Colombian’s Chelsea career needs but the question is – does he actually want to move back to the Bridge? After a successful period on loan in Serie A, the league in which he made his name, he may be the one who needs convincing.

Getty

The gap between Leicester and Tottenham currently sits at five points ahead of Sunday’s match between Leicester and Swansea, with Spurs set to take on West Bromwich Albion on Monday night. Should Leicester suffer defeat against Swansea, Spurs could reduce the deficit to just two points heading into next weekend’s clash with Chelsea, and could well go top of the Premier League with victory at Stamford Bridge.

However, Hazard’s team-mate Cesc Fabregas – who previously captained Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal – said that he believes Leicester will already have the title in the bag before they arrive at Stamford Bridge.

Cesc Fabregas believes Leicester will win the title (Getty)

Speaking to Sky Sports after Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday, Fabregas said: "I believe they'll have it wrapped up by then.

"Spurs are pushing hard to get as close to them as possible but I think Leicester will win it and deservedly.

"I don't want Spurs to win it and, for what they've done through the season, I would love Leicester to win the Premier League."

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