David
Luiz says Chelsea are in the title race and they are not going to settle for
a top four finish.
Chelsea are fourth in the table ahead of their match against Leicester at
Stamford Bridge on Saturday and go into the festive period looking to make
it three league wins in a row.
Luiz believes they are capable of making up ground on the teams above them.
"Everybody knows the Premier League is so difficult, we have to think step
by step," the Brazil international told Sky Sports News.
"Of course the boss tries to give us the maths and to give us one direction
to follow and we trying to get the points to be there and fighting for the
title not just for the top four."
Pushed on whether he thought it was realistic for Chelsea to win the title
in Maurizio Sarri's first season in charge, Luiz replied: "Yes, I think so
but with humility, with our feet on the ground, thinking step by step.
"Of course we lost some points and it could be better for us at the moment
but everybody knows in this league everybody can win against everybody.
"It's not my first Premier League [season] so I know anything can happen."
Eden Hazard has played a key part in Chelsea's success so far this season.
He is top scorer with 10 goals and scored the winner against Brighton last
weekend.
He followed that up with the goal that beat Bournemouth on Wednesday to take
Chelsea into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
"He is doing his job," Luiz added. "Everybody knows Eden, he is a great
player and I am happy because he is doing his job.
"I have played with him for many years and I think he is now more hungry to
score.
"He is intelligent, he has technique, he is a great player and a great
personality. I think he is enjoying scoring and I hope he can score this
weekend."
If Hazard does score against Leicester it will be his 100th goal for the
club.
"He is one of the best players in the world, everybody knows that," Luiz
said.
"It will be a big achievement for him but he will need to double it, and a
bit more, to pass Frank Lampard."
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