RDM: Hazard role not defined yet
Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo has fielded Eden Hazard in the 'hole' behind the striker in recent friendlies but it may not be his final position for the new season.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
The outspoken Belgian youngster had declared his fondness for the role of a second striker well before finalising a switch to the Premier League. It was in that role that he prospered with former club Lille, scoring 20 goals last term and winning the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award.
But Di Matteo insists that the 21-year-old was given the position due to the absence of key players such as striker Fernando Torres who has been away on holiday following his participation in this summer's European Championships.
The Italian stated that when the full squad will be at his disposal, he will better know how best to use the player for the coming season. For the moment, he is just getting the squad to practise the 4-2-3-1 formation that was successful in helping the club win the Champions League and the FA Cup in the preceding season.
"Hazard is a versatile player and he can play on the wing and he can play in the middle and that is where we are using him, but it depends on the options we have because once everyone is back we will have more of those," Di Matteo was quoted as saying on chelseafc.com.
"This formation is a shape that we used at the end of last season and it has served us well.
"We are trying two shapes in practice as well to be ready for all eventualities, and it will also depends on the players we will have available."
Torres has joined the squad and took part in his first pre-season training session on Monday and could feature in the Blues' next high-profile friendly match against AC Milan on Saturday.
Chelsea salvaged a draw against Paris Saint-Germain over the weekend and will next play the MLS All-Stars on Tuesday.