Hazard may have to be ‘false nine’ again
Antonio Conte has insisted he will ask Eden Hazard to play as a “false nine” again if he feels it will benefit Chelsea and believes his players should express any dissatisfaction with their roles internally.
The Belgian was unhappy at starting as a “false nine” against Manchester City last Sunday, saying: “For me personally, it’s difficult to play a good game when you only touch the ball three times.”
Although Olivier Giroud looks set to start as Chelsea’s striker against Crystal Palace today, Conte still considers Hazard one of his three options through the middle.
Asked if Hazard would play as a “false nine” again this season, Conte replied: “Yes, but if I think it’s right for the team to play in this way, it’s OK. Otherwise, I can take another decision and play with a striker. Maybe. I can take different decisions. There are three players for two places. One has to go on the bench. Then I have to decide who.”
When it was put to him that Giroud deserved a chance to start, Conte said: “In some games, it’s right to start with him. In others, it’s right to start with [Alvaro] Morata. In others, it’s right to continue with Hazard as a No 9. Olivier played against West Brom from the start and played against Hull, and then came on in every game, I think. But he’s ready to play.”
Hazard’s belief that he is wasted through the middle is better kept behind closed doors, according to Conte, who once regretted speaking out publicly as a Juventus player under coach Marcello Lippi.
“I like, if something happens, to confront the situation face to face with all the players,” said Conte. “The best way is to solve it together, not through the press. I spoke out when I was a player and said I was not happy with the role the coach decided to give me.
“Lippi said it was a lack of respect for my team-mates, first of all, and then for him, the club and the fans. He killed me. But I brought this experience into my heart and, after that, I improved a lot. Not to be selfish. I started to think for the team. I became a captain after that.”