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Eden Hazard sends troubling message to Chelsea boss

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Eden Hazard of Chelsea (R) celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on October 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Eden Hazard of Chelsea (R) celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on October 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Eden Hazard’s latest comments were a message to Antonio Conte

At first glance, the idea of Eden Hazard making public comments to credit Antonio Conte for allowing him to play with more freedom this season sounds wonderful to Chelsea fans. Unfortunately, there was a hidden message inside the player’s comments for his manager.

The Belgian attacker is certainly enjoying more success this season than he did during the 2015-16 campaign. He’s already scored three goals in eight league games whereas it took him an entire season to score four a year ago.

As such, it’s entirely logical that Hazard would praise his new manager. Conte isn’t known for his attacking prowess, but he’s clearly done something right as it relates to his most talented attacker. His arrival clearly coincides with a sharp uptick in Hazard’s form.

To the clever attacker’s credit, he did acknowledge Conte’s role in his resurgence via the club’s official website. He specifically cited his manager for allowing him to play with more freedom this season. All of that, was entirely positive news for Chelsea fans. Unfortunately for the Blues, Hazard’s comments didn’t end there.

On the heels of praising Conte, he took the opportunity to call himself a striker on several occasions. Those who’ve watched Chelsea play closely this season, are well aware that he’s been deployed almost exclusively as a winger to date. Per Whoscored.com, every start he’s made this season has been out on the left as either a forward or winger.

It’s a clear effort by Hazard to subtly suggest a position switch to his manager. He’s gone on record numerous times with his preference to play inside. Under Jose Mourinho he desired to play as a number ten. That position doesn’t have the same significant in Conte’s typical formation.

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Instead, Hazard now wants to play as the club’s second striker. If Conte does change the side to his preferred 3-5-2 formation it’s going to open up an opportunity for Hazard to play alongside Diego Costa. Currently, the only other realistic option for that role would be Michy Batshuayi. He might not yet be ready for such responsibility.

The concern here isn’t that Hazard wants to play as a striker, it’s the fact that he’s taken his issue to the press. This time it was a subtle message wrapped in nice comments about Conte, but who’s to say the next time will be so polite?

Antonio Conte and Eden Hazard need to get on the same page about the player’s positioning. Better to do it now while the club are playing well. If they wait until their on the pitch performance suffers, it could end poorly for all involved.

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