Eden Hazard believes Chelsea must become more solid defensively and learn how to win difficult games if they are to challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title this season.
According to a report by Metro on Friday, September 18, 2026, Chelsea have made an entertaining start under new manager Xabi Alonso, scoring 10 goals in their opening four league matches.
However, the Blues have also shown weaknesses at the back. Chelsea have picked up seven points from their first four games, beating Fulham and Brighton, while suffering defeat against Arsenal and being held to a 2-2 draw by Hull City.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have won all four of their league matches and conceded just one goal. That contrast has led Hazard to highlight the importance of Chelsea improving defensively if they want to compete at the top of the table.
During a conversation with former Chelsea captain John Terry, Hazard was asked about Chelsea’s attacking trio of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro.
The former Chelsea star admitted that the combination reminded him of his own time at Stamford Bridge, when he played alongside talented attacking players such as Willian.
Hazard was impressed by the way the current forwards have started the season and believes their performances show just how much potential Chelsea have in attack. Terry also viewed the comparison as a major compliment to the club’s young forwards.
However, Hazard also acknowledged that Chelsea’s attackers are still relatively young and have plenty of room to develop. He appears to be enjoying watching the team and believes their attacking quality gives them plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
The bigger question, though, is whether Chelsea can produce consistent results when matches become difficult.
Terry pointed to the 2-2 draw against Hull as the kind of result established title contenders need to avoid. Hazard agreed, using Arsenal as an example of a team that knows how to grind out victories even when performances are not at their best.
He recalled Arsenal winning matches by narrow margins, including a 1-0 victory that came from a corner, as an example of how important it can be to find a way to win when a game is not going according to plan.
For Hazard, that is an area Chelsea will need to improve as Alonso’s young squad gains more experience.
Chelsea’s attacking numbers have certainly caught the eye, but their defensive record remains a concern. If they can become more difficult to break down and learn how to manage tight games, Hazard believes they could turn their promising start into a more serious challenge for the Premier League title.
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