Chelsea star Eden Hazard admits he hates tracking back but understands that he must continue to carry out his defensive duties to remain in Antonio Conte’s plans at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard, 26, who broke his ankle while on international duty earlier this summer, made his first start for the Blues this season in the side’s 5-1 defeat of Nottingham Forest but is yet to start in the Premier League.
The Belgian attacker insists it is ‘pointless’ for all players to defend, claiming it tires him out towards the end of matches, but understands that tracking back is necessary under Conte.
Asked what makes the perfect footballer, Hazard told France Football: ‘You don’t need that [tracking back]. You can write that.
‘Don’t tell Conte, but you can write that it’s pointless. If you defend too much, you tire yourself out.
‘If I’ve spent the whole game defending, forget about me being useful after the 60th minute, and I’m quite fit.’
Hazard is aware that he could easily find himself on the bench if he fails to track back.
He added: ‘There are people who are meant to defend, while others are there to attack.
‘After that, it’s up to the manager. If that’s what he wants, you need to do it, otherwise you sit on the bench.
‘I defend too. I don’t like it, but I have to with Antonio [Conte].’
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