Hazard can be the best
MAURIZIO SARRI has challenged Eden Hazard to become the best player in the world.
And Sarri insisted the Belgium star would get his chance to put Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the shade at Chelsea.
That is because the new Blues manager is adamant there is zero chance of Hazard joining Real Madrid in this month’s transfer window.
Hazard is set to face Arsenal at Stamford Bridge today and Sarri mirrored the view of other managers at Chelsea who have felt he has not yet reached his potential. “Eden can improve,” said the Italian. “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 [in the world]. It depends on him. The best for technical skill, the best for scoring, but I think it depends only on him. On his mind.”
Explaining why he was so sure Hazard would stay, despite European transfer windows staying open for the rest of the month, Sarri added: “Because Chelsea are one of the most important clubs in Europe.
“One of the most important clubs in Europe cannot sell an important player without the possibility of buying a player on the same level.”
Sarri admitted before he joined the west Londoners he had been worried Hazard might go, especially after he admitted at the World Cup it may be time for a change.
“I was concerned about this problem,” said Sarri. “But the first time I spoke to him, I was sure he would stay. So I was concerned for 20 days, no more.”
Sarri is also less concerned about maintaining the strict regime employed by his predecessor Antonio Conte and has allowed ketchup back on the menu at the training ground.
He is also ready to let players sleep at home before games on occasion, rather than hotels.
He can be first, it’s up to him