Maurizio
Sarri has praised Eden Hazard's qualities as a world-class footballer, but
says the Chelsea forward is "not a leader".
Sarri spoke in his native Italian to criticise his players following
Chelsea's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, accusing them of being difficult to
motivate and being low in mental aggression.
When questioned further on the subject ahead of Chelsea's Carabao Cup
semi-final second leg against Tottenham, Sarri cited Cesar Azpilicueta and
David Luiz as potential leaders, but said Hazard does not have the right
qualities on the pitch.
"I don't know, in this moment he's more an individual player than a leader,"
claimed Sarri. "He's important for us, a great player, he always can win the
match in two minutes, sometimes in one minute.
"At the moment, he's not a leader - a great player, one of the best in the
world.
"I prefer him when he speaks with his feet. I think that he says coaches
have told him that he needs to do more. I think he has to do more because
the potential is higher than the performances. So he has to respect, first
of all, himself - he has to do more.
"Eden, at the moment, is a wonderful player, but he is an individual player,
an instinctive player.
"For him, it's very difficult to play in only one position. He likes very
much to go to the ball, he likes the ball at his feet. But it's very
difficult for him to play as a striker, but also very difficult for him to
play as a winger."
Hazard has been linked with a move away to Real Madrid, but Sarri says his
future is not yet decided.
"He is discussing with the club, but I don't know anything else," Sarri
said. "He's not decided yet he wants to stay here or he wants a new
experience in another club.
"Eden, at the moment, doesn't know the final choice."
top