Sarri: Hazard is best in Europe he can score 40 goals (in a season)

Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri is just like most managers when it come to answering the question of whether his side can win the league. It’s always no.

Sarri is no Jose Mourinho, who in his first spell at Stamford Bridge stated the day they would win it - and they did.

Sarri said: “I cannot change my mind for one match. I think that at this moment Liverpool and Manchester City are another step than us.

“But I think we can improve. My target is to be the best team in England, but not in one month. Maybe one season, maybe a little more. But our target is this. But at the moment, I repeat, for me in my opinion Liverpool and Manchester City are better than us.”

To be the best they will need to improve - the goal conceded against Cardiff City this afternoon being a case in point - sloppy defending.

The Italian said: “I think in this moment we are very dangerous in the offensive phase but we are not so solid as I want in the defensive phase.

“Today we knew that this opponent is very strong in the set-pieces but we were not ready to answer. We need to improve, but we are able to and can improve very quickly.”

Chelsea won 4-1 after going a goal down and can thank Eden Hazard for his hat-trick performance to put the Blues top of the league - Willian scored a peach of a goal too.

Sarri said of the Belgium.

“Maybe. I thought Hazard was one of the best players in Europe, but now I am changing my mind that he is the best.

“I think Hazard can improve more. I think that he can spend less energy than now at 50 or 60 metres to the opposite goal.

“When we have the ball in our half and he touches the ball five times or six times, so his actions it shows he spends a lot of energies, and he can have more energy in the last 25 metres. I think he can score 30 or 35 goals.

“I think he can do it, he can do it. I told him in the last two days because Eden only arrived two days ago. After the international teams I prefer to give the players one day off. On Friday, I told him he can score 40 goals. But spend less energy far from the goal and play in the last 25 metres.”

Sarri made the decision to drop striker Alvaro Morata and start Olivier Giroud.

“I think Olivier has played very well without scoring,” said Sarri.

“But very well for the match, I think.”

Chelsea are top of the league having scored one goal more than second-place Liverpool.

Sarri said: “I am very happy because I thought the beginning for me has been very difficult. I have been lucky because I have good players, not just one, but good players, so I am lucky. I am very happy with my team, to be here and play in the Premier League.”