Ahead of Manchester United clash Real Madrid target fires Chelsea manager warning

Eden Hazard has disclosed that his preference is to be deployed on the flank for Chelsea rather than as a false 9.

Hazard preferred up front

Despite bringing in Spain international striker Alvaro Morata and France international striker Olivier Giroud across the last two transfer windows including the option to feature Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi during the first stanza of the league season, Blues boss Antonio Conte has decided to use the Real Madrid target as a striker on a couple of occasions.

At times the tactical decision has worked well, but there’s been some odd matches in which the 27-year-old attacker has struggled to hold up the ball up front and therefore a couple of attacking chances have broken down.

Hazard want wing role

That was evident for some periods of the first-half Champions League clash against FC Barcelona on Tuesday as he started as a false 9 ahead of Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud.

Then the former Real Madrid striker came on in the closing stages of the encounter at Stamford Bridge, Eden Hazard moved over to the left-flank and revealed that’s where he loves to play.

Hazard’s good shape in the UEFA Champions League this term continued as he linked up Willian to score the opener against the Catalan giants.