Chelsea forward Eden Hazard could end up playing a key role when the Blues take on Arsenal in the Europa League final this week.
Eden Hazard has been the one standout performer for Maurizio Sarri in an otherwise poor season for Chelsea, but Blues legend Pat Nevin is a bit concerned about the player.
Nevin fears that the Chelsea boss might be tempted to use Hazard as a number nine during the final vs the Gunners which could end up being a big mistake.
“I hope Eden doesn’t play as a false nine,” Nevin said(as reported). “It’s kind of worked sometimes and not worked at other times.
“When it doesn’t work you are taking one of the best, if not the best, left wingers in the world and sticking him at centre-forward where he is OK, you have suddenly got a brilliant player who is OK.
“He has had a couple of games where he has been exceptional up front and it is up to Sarri to think will this game suit Eden to play there and the group of players he is up against.”
Unai Emery has also claimed that the playmaker can swing the balance of the final in favour of the Blues.
“Hazard is a player of moments, defining moments,” the Spaniard boss said, as reported by El Mundo(via Football London). “It is what we have to avoid.
“Chelsea can win thanks for them, and this match winning capability we’ve only seen in Messi, Cristiano, Neymar or Salah. For me, he is in the top five players around the world.”
Sarri has not shied away from using Eden Hazard as a false nine this season but that has mostly been during the first half of the season.
After the signing of Gonzalo Higuain, Eden Hazard has mostly been deployed on the left wing – his usual role and we do not think Sarri will alter that during the final vs Arsenal.
The Belgian international will most certainly play down the wing while Higuain will start down the middle but given that Sarri loves to play the quick game, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Hazard comes into the middle of the park to rattle up Arsenal’s defensive line.
