Belgium and Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has had an impressive start to the new Premier League campaign and his excellent form showed on Saturday when he scored a hat-trick against Cardiff City. Hazard has now scored 5 goals and assisted 2 in 5 Premier League appearances so far. The Belgian has also had a great summer with his international side as Belgium came third in the FIFA World Cup in Russia. The Chelsea man scored three goals and two assists as they beat Brazil to get to the semi-finals, only to be beaten by France.
New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been impressed with the Belgian and even went on to say that Hazard is the best player in Europe. The hat-trick against Cardiff City over the weekend, helping the Blues to a 4-1 win, led the manager to make the huge claim about the former Lille player.
“I thought Hazard was one of the best players in Europe, but now I am changing my mind. He is the best. I think [he can challenge for the golden boot]. I have talked with Eden and told him that he can score 40 goals. He has to improve some things, but he can do it. Does he believe me? If you have seen the match today, you will say yes.”
Sarri also added that Hazard should score more goals than he has ever scored by putting his focus on the final third.
“I think Hazard can improve more. I think that he can spend less energy than now at 50 or 60 metres to the opposition’s goal.”
“When we have the ball in our half and he touches the ball five or six times, it shows he spends a lot of energy and can have more energy in the last 25 metres.
“He can score 30 or 35 goals.”
Twitter has since exploded with reactions to the bold claims:
#CFC boss Maurizio Sarri hailed Eden Hazard as the ‘best player in Europe’ after his performance this weekend but do you agree?
— talkSPORTDrive (@talkSPORTDrive) September 17, 2018
Agree with this view? 🤔https://t.co/lJyr5Xbrpo
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 16, 2018
Sarri: "I think Hazard can score 30-35 goals." Blimey.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) September 15, 2018
E Hazard scored a hat-trick against a weak time such as Cardiff City, & Sarri – the manager who has yet to win a trophy – begins to hail Hazard as the "best player in Europe". Unbelievable. It's dangerous to count your chickens before they are hatched. https://t.co/v9hZE7ypix
— Sure Gurung (@GurungSure) September 17, 2018
“When I came to Chelsea, I thought Eden Hazard was one of the best players in Europe. I was completely wrong.
I think he’s the best.”
– Maurizio Sarri on Eden Hazard pic.twitter.com/xPDPhngK0m
— Uber Chelsea FC 🏆 (@UberCheIseaFC) September 15, 2018
Better than Messi & Ronaldo? 🤔
This is how highly Maurizio Sarri rates Eden Hazard. pic.twitter.com/Oal6xaidpR
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 15, 2018
Sarri and Chelsea fans trying to call Hazard the best player in Europe when he’s not even top 3 in the league.
Salah, De Bruyne and Kane.
— 9 (@EnRouteAnfield) September 16, 2018