Maurizio Sarri says 'Europe's best' Eden Hazard can score 40 goals - but is it realistic?
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Published 16/09/2018 at 12:13 GMT
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri says Eden Hazard can score 40 goals a season with one simple change.
Maurizio Sarri manager of Chelsea congratulates Eden Hazard on his hat-trick as fans and coaching staff give a standing ovation during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge
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Hazard scored a fine hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Cardiff City on Saturday which moved the Blues to the top of the Premier League on goal difference. Hazard is now the top scorer in the Premier League with five goals from five games.
Sarri revealed that he told the Belgian to save energy and to focus on performing only in the final third of the pitch.
Yesterday I said to him that for me you can score 40 goals, but you have to spend less energy far from goal and you have to play in the last 25 metres of the field.I think that he can spend less energy than he does now at 50 to 60 metres from the opposite goal. In these actions I think he spends a lot of energy, and he can have more energy in the last 25 metres.
Hazard's manager believes that the talented forward can improve and become one of the world’s best.
“When I arrived I thought that Hazard was one of the best players in Europe,” Sarri said.
“Now I have changed my mind: maybe he is the best. But I also think he can still improve more.”
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Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Cardiff City
Image credit: Getty Images
While Sarri’s approach will see Hazard scoring many more goals it will take something away from his game.
He showed in the World Cup how committed he was to winning the ball and hassling his opponents in all areas.
But with Morata and Giroud not having a great time in front of goal, this may be the way forward for Chelsea.
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