LONDON (REUTERS) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has urged the club to "solve the problem" of Eden Hazard's future, amid speculation that the Belgian winger will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Hazard, who has one-and-a-half years remaining on his Chelsea deal, said he will not make a decision on his long-term future until the end of the campaign, which did nothing to stop the persistent rumours linking him to Real Madrid.
Asked what he thought Hazard would do, Sarri told a news conference on Friday (Dec 28): "I don't know. I speak to him only about the position on the pitch. But I think that it's time to decide.
"I think we have to solve the problem. If we want to plan the future, we have to solve this problem."
Hazard boasts a hand in 19 Premier League goals this season, more than any other player, and was again on the scoresheet with a brace in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Watford on Boxing Day.
While Hazard prefers to play on the wing, Sarri has used him in a central "false-nine" role during the last few matches and may do so again for Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace.
With strikers Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata struggling to score on a regular basis, the Italian manager expects Hazard to shoulder most of the goalscoring responsibility.
"He played four matches as false number nine, and he scored three goals and two assists," Sarri said.
"I am really very happy with him in this position, because he's very able to score, first of all, but he's very able to open spaces for the team mates, to come and play with the team mates.
"But in the future he can also play as a winger of course."
Sarri also ruled out Pedro for at least 10 days with a hamstring problem.
The Spanish forward picked up the injury in the first half at Vicarage Road and was replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has been nursing a hamstring problem of his own and was taken off in the 85th minute.
"We have two problems, the first more serious with Pedro," Sarri said.
"A hamstring injury and I think that he will have to rest for about 10 days.
"The second problem was Odoi, it's not as serious but I don't think he will play in the next match."
Stadium switch poised to lift Spurs LONDON • Mauricio Pochettino has hailed Tottenham's newly opened stadium as "the best in the world" and that "the facilities would convince people to sign for the club".
Spurs Fan Club Singapore - Best Fan ImageForms.Co
Double injury blow for Spurs ahead of Liverpool clash (Reuters) Dier suffered a groin injury in England's 5-0 win over Czech Republic last week and was forced to withdraw from Gareth Southgate's
Double Injury Blow For Spurs Ahead Of EPL Clash With
Faithful fans rejoice as Hilltoppers break their 26-game losing streak with many waving red towels. Vette City Prospects.
Reds boss Klopp turns attention to Champions League
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says PLAYERS will decide if Kepa features vs Tottenham CHELSEA boss Maurizio Sarri has claimed the 'group' will decide if Kepa plays against Tottenham on Wednesday night.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Chelsea squad 'respect' Maurizio Sarri's
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is confident Gonzalo Higuain can be the short-term solution to his side's need for goals and urged the Argentine to earn a permanent move to the Premier League.
Sarri challenges Higuain to earn permanent Chelsea deal
Chelsea hold on against Brighton to consolidate top four spot 16 Dec 2018 - 18:51 Chelsea's Ross Barkley shakes hands with David Luiz after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Chelsea hold on against Brighton to consolidate top four spot
Football: Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to
Tottenham may have to play the rest of 2018-19 without Harry Kane, who hurt his ankle against Manchester City. Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino fears Harry Kane could miss the rest of the season
Harry Kane could miss rest of season with ankle injury
Argentina have appointed Cesar Luis Menotti to be the overall manager of their national teams. Menotti is now 80. When he was not yet half that age he took Argentina to their first World Cup win - an achievement that has consistently been under-rated. Focus on that 1978 tournament usually falls on
Menotti named Argentina's director of national teams - Reuters
Huddersfield manager Jan Siewert has backed Philip Billing after the club's Danish midfielder was subjected to "brainless" racist abuse on social media. West Yorkshire Police arrested a 16
Huddersfield ace Philip Billing exposes sick racist abuse
Sergio Aguero's 20th Premier League goal of the season left Manchester City just two wins from the title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday. Aguero, who has now
Aguero goal and another clean sheet inches City closer to the
Football; Spurs star out until March with ankle injury. Tottenham striker Harry Kane will be sidelined until March after suffering ankle ligament damage in Sunday's defeat against Manchester
Spurs star Kane out until March with ankle injury - Starr Sports
starrsportsgh.com/2019/01/spurs-star-kane-out-until-march-with-ankle-injury/
Tottenham striker Harry Kane will be sidelined until March after suffering ankle ligament damage in Sunday's defeat against Manchester United. Kane sustained the injury to his left ankle in the closing moments of the 1-0 loss
Spurs star Kane out until March with ankle injury - The 1873 TV
Football: New coach Zinedine Zidane leads first training
0 comments:
Post a Comment