Chelsea more solid with Hazard as striker – Sarri

Maurizio Sarri says he likes to play Eden Hazard as Chelsea’s ‘false nine’ for a better balance defensively.

Chelsea’s reliance on Hazard was evident again in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Newcastle.

The 28-year-old Belgian created the decisive goal, scored brilliantly by Willian, who netted for just the third time in the league this season.

The Blues have scored just 13 goals in their last 11 Premier League games and Sarri is increasingly favouring an attacking focal point of Hazard, rather than recognised strikers Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata.

“At the moment in the defensive phase we are doing very well and one of the reasons, in my opinion, is that Eden is playing in that position,” Sarri said.

Hazard last season expressed frustration about being deployed as Chelsea’s ‘false nine’ under Antonio Conte.

But Sarri insisted the Belgian liked it after being asked to play there in December’s win over Manchester City and frequently since.

The Italian admitted Hazard was unhappy in the first half, but grew into the game against Newcastle.

Hazard’s happiness is key to Chelsea, given his contract expires in June 2020 and he has spoken of a daily quandary over whether to seek a “dream” move to Real Madrid.

“In the second half my feeling was that he enjoyed (it),” Sarri added.

“I played him there because I wanted to see the solution with the three small players.

“I think that at this moment it is a very good solution because we are not less dangerous in the offensive phase.

“And in the defensive phase we are more balanced. In the last six matches we have conceded only three goals and one was a penalty.

“Now we need to improve attacking in the box when the ball is out of the box. It is impossible for Eden to stay in the box.”