Chelsea ace Eden Hazard thinks that the key to this weekends all important match against Manchester City is the fitness of his Belgium teammate Vincent Kompany, who he credits with holding the team together.
Kompany has been struggling with a groin injury which has seen him out of the team for the past three weeks, and it is not known if he will be fit enough to play against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this Sunday.
Hazard of course would like to see his international teammate get well, but admits it would be a big boost for Chelsea on Sunday should he be unable to play in what both teams consider to be a six point game.
“Kompany is really important for City because when he plays they win and when he doesn’t play they lose, often,” said Hazard.
“We know his quality and we’re lucky to have him in the Belgium team. I prefer to play with players like that than against them.”
Should Kompany play Hazard feels like the Blues are starting to come together under manager Jose Mourinho after winning six of the last seven games.
“We are playing well at the moment and are in form,” added Hazard. “We have won at Norwich, we won at home against Cardiff. We have got a good dynamic. I hope we can continue like this because this weekend we have another big, important match.
“Our role is to try to stay in the title race at the top of the table, win and carry on our way to the Arsenal game (on Tuesday, in the Capital One Cup).”
Hazard is enjoying his time playing under the Portuguese manager and hopes that the team will along with him continue to improve.
“Jose brings his experience. He is a great coach. Us young players are impressed,” continued Hazard.
“We are starting to know him. He is a good guy, someone who has his own ideas and who puts them in place.
“At the moment we are winning so all is well. He has won a lot of things before and I hope he wins more, that we’ll be able to win trophies.”
