SHOW YOU ARE A GALACTICO
Hazard can overtake Ronaldo and Messi as best on the planet, says Chelsea boss
MaUrIZIO sarrI has thrown the gauntlet down to eden hazard, urging his superstar to dethrone Lionel Messi and cristiano ronaldo to become the best player in the world.
hazard has been strongly linked with a move to real Madrid over the summer but remains at chelsea. and despite the spanish transfer window not closing until the end of the month, the Belgium forward is virtually certain to stay in London after being told he is not for sale.
having returned to preseason training only 13 days ago, hazard was on the bench for last weekend’s win over huddersfield but came on and set up a goal for Pedro.
however, he is in line to start today’s London derby against arsenal as chelsea look to offer some evidence that they can mount a serious challenge to Manchester city in the race for the Premier League title.
Indeed, sarri will need hazard, 27, to reach and maintain the sort of form that has seen him threaten to break up Messi and ronaldo’s duopoly on the Balon d’Or over the past decade if chelsea are to have any hope of going toe-to-toe with city.
But the new manager believes his exceptional attacker has what it takes to become the best in the world. ‘ In the last five years, cristiano has played like a striker. Messi like a striker, eden sometimes like a winger,’ said sarri. ‘eden can improve. We are talking about one of the most important players in europe now but, in my opinion, he can improve more. ‘ he can be the first. It depends on him. the best for technical skill, the best for scoring, but I think it depends only on him. On his mind. ‘hazard, technically, is really one of the best in europe at the moment. he has to work from the physical point of view, of course.’ In confirming chelsea’s decision not to consider offers for their prized asset, the 59-year-old neapolitan added: ‘chelsea are one of the most important clubs in europe. ‘ I think one of the most important clubs in europe cannot sell an important player without the possibility of buying a player on the same level. ‘Of course when I joined, I was
concerned about this problem. But the first time I spoke to him, I was sure that he would stay.’
Even with Hazard firing on all cylinders, Sarri is under no illusion about the task facing Chelsea and the rest of the Premier League’s elite in trying to overhaul Pep Guardiola’s champions.
‘At this moment, in English football there is one club above the others. This club is Manchester City,’ added the Italian.
‘We have to try to reach 101 per cent of our potential. Then we have to see. I don’t know, now, what can happen but my feeling is that we can be a very good team.
‘In this moment, I think City are a long way ahead, we have to work to reduce the gap.’
Cesc Fabregas will miss today’s clash against the Gunners but Sarri says the Spaniard will not be a long-term absentee.
Sarri said: ‘Fabregas is out for this match. I hope he will be able to be on the pitch next week.
‘I’m not sure, it’s nothing serious but he has a very unusual injury. Nothing serious. I hope in the next week we will be able to have him training.
‘He has a pain, not in the knee — near the knee. But not in the knee.’