Hazard Not A False Nine – Belgium Manager

Roberto Martinez, manager of the Belgium national team, says midfielder Eden Hazard is not being utilized in his best position at Chelsea.

Speaking during a press conference ahead of Belgium’s friendly game against Saudi Arabia next week, the former Wigan manager said he will not make the same mistake of playing Hazard in a wrong position.

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Hazard has often been used as false nine rather than his rather preferred position on the wing, for the Blues’ attack in the 2017-18 season, with Alvaro Morata struggling for form, Olivier Giroud yet to settle fully and Michy Batshuayi having been loaned to Borussia Dortmund.

“Eden is not a false nine, for me. At Chelsea, that can work with guys like Pedro around him, but with us we still have Romelu [Lukaku], Michy [Batshuayi], even Dries [Mertens] can play there. ‘I’m not going to put Hazard there

“I’m not going to put Hazard there,” the former Everton boss said.

Hazard on his part has been frustrated with the false nine position. Speaking after Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City earlier in the month, the 27-year-old said: “For me personally, it’s hard to play well if you only get the ball three times.”

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