Maurizio Sarri reveals his plans for Eden Hazard

Chelsea have endured a promising start to the current campaign as they are tied on 20 points with Manchester City and Liverpool after eight matches.

Maurizio Sarri has transformed this Chelsea side into a well-drilled, cohesive, attacking unit. The biggest beneficiary of Sarri’s style of play has been Eden Hazard. The Belgian has already notched seven goals and three assists in eight appearances in the Premier League so far.

Hazard has primarily played as a left-winger under the tutelage of Sarri. However, the Italian manager plans to use Hazard in a more advanced role going ahead.

Sarri said, “I was tempted to use Hazard as a centre-forward and I might consider it again in future. But it's not the right time now. We need to believe in Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata.”

Giroud and Morata haven’t been entirely convincing in their respective roles either. Giroud is yet to score a goal in the league so far. However, the Frenchman plays as a target man and arguably contributes more to the overall gameplay than Morata. Giroud has assisted four goals in eight appearances.

Morata has scored twice in seven appearances in the Premier League. The Spaniard has been lacking the ruthlessness and goal-scoring instinct. He could still improve but the lack of a proper goal-scoring centre-forward could possibly hamper Chelsea’s chances of winning the league this season.

Sarri was surprisingly critical of Hazard in some aspects. The former Lille star has been in excellent form right from the beginning. Speaking on him, Sarri reportedly said, “Hazard is immense and I don't think even he knows how much he can still improve. I said he could end up in the tight circle of the best three or four players in the world.

“The problem is he plays to enjoy himself and at times doesn't realise the importance of moving from fun to reaping the rewards.

“At the end of the day, you've got to get the fruits of your labour. Hazard's approach is positive, but it can become a potential limitation too.

“He needs to lift his head up, look around and realise there's a whole world in front of him that he can dictate with his feet for the good of the collective and not just the individual.

Hazard has been extensively linked with a move away to Real Madrid. He has himself accepted the fact that he wishes to play in Spain to bolster his chances of bagging the Ballon d’Or.

However, he has been in imperious form under the guidance of Sarri and hence it remains to be seen whether Chelsea sanction the sale of their most vital player.