Roberto Martinez is heavily impressed by Maurizio Sarri’s strategy to use Eden Hazard in a more central role.
Unlike other matches, Sarri unleashed Hazard as a more traditional number nine and the result was pretty evident as the Blues ran out as winners to tame down Manchester City 2-0 in a closely contested match.
Hazard didn’t seem to be comfortable in the role in the first half as he rarely had the ball but after the interval, the Belgian started to see more of the ball. Sarri successfully implicated the false nine role at Napoli with Dries Mertens and we could see more of this unconventional role in the near future.
Hazard went on to register two assists in the game which has swung the title race rapidly. Martinez praised Sarri’s intention. “He’s someone who can hold the ball as well as any No.9, a target man,
“He’s got a really good centre of gravity.
“I’m sure Eden can play in different situations but that it was a one-off. You’re not going to be facing Manchester City or the quality of Manchester City [every week].”
“Eden is a mature footballer. If he has to do something for the team he will do it.
“He did it in the World Cup with Belgium. Yes, he relies on individual quality in what he brings in the game, but he is a team player.
“As you saw [on Saturday] he was prepared to do something that he’s not used to and doesn’t do normally. But he’s prepared to understand what he needs to do when the ball gets into his feet.”
