Eden Hazard to Antonio Conte – play me in my preferred role at Chelsea
Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard has pleaded with Blues boss Antonio Conte to play him in his preferred Number 10 role.
CHELSEA star Eden Hazard is becoming frustrated in his role at Stamford Bridge.
New Blues boss Antonio Conte is finally implementing his preferred system of three central defenders with his full backs providing the width. However Hazard who was instrumental in Chelsea's win at Hull last time out playing in a more central role and the 25-year-old insists that's where he should be used.
The line up sees Hazard deployed down the left with Willian on the opposite side. The Belgian International has admitted the new Conte team shape is not getting the best out of him, unlike for his country where new coach Roberto Martinez has given Hazard the freedom he enjoys playing in his preferred role as a number 10.
Hazard revealed "I like to play as a No 10, I think I have more freedom offensively. Belgium have full backs who run hard and create a lot of space for the national team, which is good and I like to play there"
Conte won three Serie A titles with Juventus using his tried and trusted 3-5-2 formation. The Italian will be hard pressed to change his philosophy to fit with Hazard's desire to play in his preferred position.
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The 25-year-old was the best player in the Premier League under former boss Jose Mourinho. Deployed in his preferred role behind main striker Diego Costa, Hazard scored 19 goals helping the Blues win the Premier League and scooping the PFA and Football writers player of the year awards.
"I don't know if I can play there for Chelsea, you need to ask the manager. I play on the left-hand side, I try to do my best I can. But I do like to play there (at No 10). At Chelsea we don't often play with that system" Hazard added.
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