Eden Hazard has revealed his desire to play in the number ten role at Chelsea instead of out wide but accepts that new boss Antonio Conte won’t change the team shape just for him.
The Belgian international, who captained his country during the international break, scored in both of his side’s World Cup qualifying games and Belgium manager Roberto Martinez moved him off the left-wing to operate more centrally.
Hazard produced two excellent all-round performances for the ex-Everton manager from a central attacking area and not only does he enjoy the role but he also believes that he has what it takes to successfully adapt to the position at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old said, via the Daily Mail: “I like to play as a number ten. I think I have more freedom offensively. For Belgium, we have full-backs who run hard and create a lot of space, which is good and I like to play there.”
He continued: “I don’t know if I will play there at Chelsea. You need to ask the manager! I play on the left-hand side and I try to do the best I can.”
The 2014-15 PFA Player of the Year wanted to play as a number ten under his former boss Jose Mourinho, however, the man now in charge of Manchester United publicly told Hazard that he didn’t fit his profile of the ideal playmaker.
So far this season, Conte has already deployed Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and Willian as the man just behind the main striker Diego Costa but the 47-year-old Italian is still searching for what he wants.
Hazard added: “It’s true I like to play as a ten. Sometimes at Chelsea, we don’t play with a system with a number ten, too. I don’t think Chelsea wants to change just for me (to play) as a ten. I did well in the past as a left winger and for now, I am trying to get back to that best again.”
Meanwhile, the hugely talented superstar also praised Conte for what initially felt like a brutal pre-season training regime because it has left the entire squad feeling fitter and sharper for the season ahead.
“We are fit because we ran a lot in pre-season!”, Hazard claimed. “You need to do this to stay at the top. We want to improve with this manager. He is good.
“We started well with three wins, then we suffered two defeats after the (first) international break and then we won again. He has tried to bring confidence to the players.”
Speaking about Chelsea’s opponents on Saturday; Premier League champions Leicester City, Hazard said: “They played well last season. But this season is completely different. We know as we were champions and the season after is very difficult. But they still have a lot of good players.”