Hazard is a great player but not a leader — Sarri News

Navigation: Home / News / Euro Soccer Update / Hazard is a great player but not a leader — Sarri

Hazard is a great player but not a leader — Sarri

By Daily Sports on January 24, 2019

Maurizio Sarri has praised Eden Hazard’s qualities as a great footballer, but says that the Chelsea star is ‘not a leader’.

Sarri hit the headlines last week for publicly chastising his squad after a 2-0 loss to Arsenal, claiming that his players are ‘very difficult to motivate’ and that they perhaps shouldn't be playing at the highest level.

The Italian then went on to say that a new player, or even an ‘old head’, could be the answer to turning the Blues’ fortunes, suggesting that the club lack leadership. Sarri was questioned further on the subject on Wednesday and the Chelsea boss cited Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz as potential leaders for the team, though turned heads by stating Hazard is not on that list.

“He’s more of an individual player than a leader,” Sarri said. “He's very important for us, of course, because he’s a great player. He can win a match in two minutes, sometimes one minute.

“He is one of the best in the world, but at this moment he is not a leader.”

The Italian coach went on to discuss Hazard’s ongoing contract negotiations, with rumours of a summer switch to Real Madrid for the Belgian still swirling.

Sarri revealed that the 28-year-old has still not decided on his long-term future, stating: “No, no news. I know very well that he is discussing with the club, but I don’t know anything else at the moment.

“I think that he has not decided yet if he wants to stay here or if he wants a new experience in another club. I don’t know exactly the situation, but I think that Eden, at the moment, doesn’t know the final choice.”

The Blues are back in action on Thursday night in the Carabao Cup, hosting Spurs at Stamford Bridge in a crucial second leg semi-final tie. (Goal)

•Photo shows Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 24, 2019