Antonio Conte hints at new role for Eden Hazard after Liverpool performance
The Belgian played virtually as a striker against Liverpool on Saturday (Picture: Getty) Chelsea bos..
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has suggested that Eden Hazard might become a permanent fixture up front after he gave another superb showing against Liverpool.
Although the west Londoners had to settle for a draw at Anfield, Hazard was a livewire throughout and was a constant menace on the counter-attack, eventually assisting Willian’s somewhat fortuitous equaliser.
Hazard played right up alongside Alvaro Morata for large spells of the match, and Conte has revealed that he could use that tactic a lot more, even getting rid of his usual 3-4-3 formation to facilitate it.
Speaking at his post-match press conference after Saturday’s 1-1 draw, Conte explained: ‘The start of the season was full of trouble, he had an injury and we started without him.
‘When you need a surgery it is important to have the best time for your recovery. He is in a really good form and he likes to play as a striker.
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‘There is a good link with Alvaro, for me it is a great opportunity in this season to have the possibility to have two different systems.
‘Qarabag was 3-4-2-1, this was 3-5-2, it is important not to lose identity in both cases.’
Hazard has been in great form recently, with his assist against Liverpool meaning he has either scored or created a goal in four of his last five Premier League appearances.
