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Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri claims Eden Hazard can score 35 goals this season if he focuses on final third

Italian's Blues soared to the top of the table after making it five wins from five with 14 goals scored but he has still found room for improvement

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MAURIZIO SARRI insists Eden Hazard could score 35 goals this season - if he focuses more on the final third.

The Chelsea boss thinks his superstar forward wastes too much energy in his own half despite watching him bag three against Cardiff.

 Eden Hazard celebrates scoring against Cardiff
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Eden Hazard celebrates scoring against CardiffCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Maurizio Sarri claims Chelsea are not as good as Liverpool and Chelsea
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Maurizio Sarri claims Chelsea are not as good as Liverpool and ChelseaCredit: AFP or licensors

And while he claimed Prem top scorer Hazard - who has five goals this season - is probably the best player in Europe, Sarri is adamant he needs to work on his game.

He said: "I thought that Hazard was one of the best players in Europe - but now I'm changing my mind. Maybe he's the best player.

"I think Hazard can improve more, he can spend less energy 50-60 metres from the opposition goal.

"When we have the ball in our half, he touches the ball five or six times. This takes a lot of energy. He could score 30 or 35 goals."

 Hazard completed his hat-trick with a cool penalty after Willian was fouled
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Hazard completed his hat-trick with a cool penalty after Willian was fouledCredit: AFP or licensors
 Willian curled in a brilliant late fourth to put the cherry on top for the Blues
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Willian curled in a brilliant late fourth to put the cherry on top for the BluesCredit: Reuters

Despite soaring to the top of the table with a 4-1 win, the Sarri thinks there is plenty of work to do after watching Sol Bamba's opener for the Bluebirds.

He added: "Manchester City and Liverpool are another step up to us but I think we can improve.

"Our goal is to be the best team in England but it will take time.

"It could take more than a season but that is our target. Liverpool and Manchester City are better than us.

"We are not as solid as I want in the defensive phase. We knew they were dangerous from set-pieces and we were not ready to answer."

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is open to John Terry returning to the club as a coach

Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock said: "I'm really disappointed with the goals we conceded it. It's a learning curve.

"We should have had a penalty when Paterson hit the post and David Luiz on the floor clearly pulls him down when he's going for the ball."

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