Chelsea vs Manchester City: Antonio Conte tells Eden Hazard he can challenge world’s best players if he is more ruthless
Blues boss says Belgian magician needs that touch of steel to be classed alongside superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
ANTONIO CONTE wants Eden Hazard to be more ruthless.
The Chelsea boss says his Belgian magician needs that touch of steel to be classed alongside superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Hazard will start his first Prem game this season against Manchester City tonight.
Conte said: “Sometimes, if he scores one goal, he’s happy and then, if there is another situation, he prefers to make an assist rather than scoring twice.
“I see, for Ronaldo, that if he scores once he wants two, three, four. It’s the same for Messi.
“Yes, he can improve in that specific situation. I ask this because one player with his talent, it’s important to ask him to be decisive every game.
“If God gives you this talent, you must exploit this talent. My task is sometimes to push him to be decisive in every moment, in every game.”
Hazard, 26, missed the start of the season with an ankle injury.
But he adapted to a role as a second striker as Chelsea become the first English team to beat Atletico Madrid at home in Europe on Wednesday.
Conte added: “Eden is a top player. This season he has a big opportunity because we can play in the Champions League.
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“This season is very important for Eden. The Champions League, together with the Premier League, is important to show you can compete to be the best.
“I’m pleased because, after a bad injury, now he’s fit.
“I think this season has started for Eden with a big game against Atletico Madrid, and now he has to show he deserves to stay with the best.”
