Hazard the big-game hunter
EDEN HAZARD relishes the big games against the best teams in the world and can now reach a whole new level, says Chelsea coach Antonio Conte.
The Belgian, 27, impressed against Barcelona in the Champions League and is aiming to inflict defeat on Manchester United today.
‘These types of game are the best for the top players,’ says Conte. ‘Eden is performing well. He’s scoring. He can score more. He can improve. He has the possibility to improve his level, to work very hard with the ball, without the ball, and help his team-mates.’
Hazard has scored 11 goals in 23 Premier League games for Chelsea this season and while Conte sees it as his challenge to unlock his star’s next level, he says it is ultimately down to the player.
‘It’s important for the coach to try to speak, to try to improve on the pitch, during the training sessions, to have the conversations for them to reach another level.
‘But it’s very important to be yourself. It must be you who has this ambition, this will, to do this.’