FOOTBALL, GOALS AND STATS The Eden project

SARRI: HAZARD ‘MAYBE’ BEST IN EUROPE & WILL IMPROVE

MAURIZIO SARRI thinks Eden Hazard might have overtaken Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in Europe – and insists there is more to come.

Hazard struck a hat-trick and Willian was also on target as Chelsea beat Cardiff 4-1 at Stamford Bridge.

The victory made it five out of five for the Blues and put them ahead of Liverpool – the only other side with a 100 per cent record – on goal difference.

Asked if Hazard was the best player in the Premier League, Sarri didn’t just limit his answer to these shores.

He said: “I thought Hazard was one of the best players in Europe, but now I change my

Bournemouth 4 Leicester Chelsea 4 Cardiff Huddersfield 0 C Palace ManCity 3 Fulham Newcastle 1 Arsenal Tottenham 1 Liverpool Watford 1 Man United

mind. Maybe he is the best now.” And unfortunately for Chelsea’s top-flight rivals, Sarri doesn’t think he will stop there. He said: “Hazard can improve more.

“I have spoken to him in the last two days and told him he can score 40 goals but also to spend less energy far from the goal and play in the last 25 metres.”

Belgium’s Hazard was delighted with the result on the back of the international break.

He said: “The game was very tough. We know after the break it is hard to play a good game because we are a bit tired but at the end we got three points and that’s important.”