Eden
Hazard was Chelsea's driving force against Bournemouth, starring and scoring
in a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. We take a look at his impact
and why he could be so key for Maurizio Sarri…
When Eden Hazard said in the summer that "it might be time to discover
something different", the alarm bells were ringing at Chelsea. After six
seasons, two Premier League titles, and countless mazy dribbles, was it time
for Chelsea's star player to become a galactico?
Not yet. And if Hazard desperately wanted the move to Real Madrid, he is not
showing it with his displays on the pitch so far this season. Maybe the
arrival of Sarri at Chelsea is enough of "something different" for him.
Hazard didn't start Chelsea's first Premier League game of the season
against Huddersfield, having only recently returned from the World Cup, but
looked bright after coming off the bench and set up the third goal for
Pedro. He was again a substitute in the 3-2 win over Arsenal, but has
started Chelsea's last two games - against Newcastle and Bournemouth - and
has made decisive impacts.
"You take him out of the team and I think they would struggle," said Paul
Merson on Soccer Saturday after Hazard scored in a 2-0 win over Bournemouth
this weekend. "Chelsea have good players but everything goes through Hazard.
They give him the ball and wait for him to do something.
"He would make a difference to Real Madrid and make them a much better team.
Chelsea must be breathing a big sigh of relief that he is still there."
Hazard was given freedom to roam by Sarri against Newcastle and responded
with a man-of-the-match display and a goal, despite being targeted for some
rough treatment.
Against Bournemouth this weekend he was again influential.
As at St James' Park, Chelsea were faced with the task of breaking down a
stubborn defence, with Bournemouth's back three actually a back five for
most of the match. That left little space for Chelsea to work with, but
Hazard continued to create room with his electric changes of pace and clever
turns.
He mainly operated down the left side of the pitch but also drifted inside
and out to the right. His five key passes were more than any other player
and he could have had a couple of assists after teeing up Marcos Alonso
either side of half-time.
After threatening in and around the box all game, he did make a telling
impact in the 85th minute when he collected Alonso's lay-off and drilled a
low shot past Asmir Begovic with his weaker left foot.
"I have confidence and I'm enjoying playing," he told Sky Sports afterwards.
"We have a lot of good players, a new manager, everything is going well."
Even though he has only started two of four matches, no player has been
involved in more Premier League goals this season (four - two goals, two
assists). And Belgium manager Roberto Martinez said this week that he thinks
Sarri's arrival at Chelsea could bring the best out of Hazard.
"After such a World Cup, it was certainly a good time for Eden Hazard to
take up a new challenge. Sarri's arrival is good for Eden. He is ready for
the new challenge and the new manager at Chelsea."
One concern for Sarri might be that Hazard's lively display did not result
in chances for Alvaro Morata. The striker only had five touches in the
penalty box and did not have as much impact in 60 minutes as his replacement
Olivier Giroud had in 30 minutes. That might tempt Sarri to hand Giroud
opportunities to start, or maybe to try Hazard in a central role with
Willian and Pedro either side. That worked with Dries Mertens at Napoli, but
Hazard has previously been frustrated playing as a 'false nine' and Belgium
manager Martinez has said it is not his best position.
Sarri has said that Chelsea can still improve even after winning their
opening four games of the season but, despite Morata's struggles, he might
be reluctant to move Hazard and affect the balance of the team.
Instead, Sarri might be best leaving Hazard to roam free and see if he can
build on this strong start.
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