Chelsea: Maurizio Sarri can help Eden Hazard learn to love the false-nine

Eden Hazard has only ever known the false-nine position when Chelsea are playing low-possession tactics. Maurizio Sarri should give him a taste of false-nine against a weak opponent so Hazard can experience what Dries Mertens had at Napoli.

Eden Hazard did not see much more of the ball as Maurizio Sarri’s false-nine then he did as Antonio Conte’s. Statistically, the first half against Manchester City on Saturday was almost identical to that fixture in March. Hazard finished with no shots and fewer touches than Kepa Arrizabalaga, even as he assisted on both Chelsea goals.

The Blues are defensively stronger with Hazard as the false-nine. Willian and Pedro are both better defenders and more willing defenders than Hazard. They provide better coverage for the full-backs on their side, and can both contribute more to defence by dropping into the midfield line in Sarri’s 4-4-2 defensive set-up. Couple their presence on the wings with Mateo Kovacic leading the press to slow down Manchester City’s build-up from the back, and Maurizio Sarri had the perfect protective line-up amongst his forwards while still keeping Eden Hazard on the pitch.

None of that is much consolation for Hazard, though, who had his standing impressions of being a false-nine reinforced under a new manager. His perception of being the false-nine is that of being a “false forward”: he stands up top waiting for balls that never come and, depending on the other forwards, unable to get out to the wings where he can be his creative best.

Maurizio Sarri imitated many of Antonio Conte’s tactics to keep Manchester City at bay in that first half. Chelsea did not defend as deeply or compactly as they did in March. Their lines were more spaced out and were closer to the middle third, but the idea was the same.

However, that is obviously not how Sarri wants to play. He does not want his methods to be quantitatively or qualitatively compared to Antonio Conte’s. But even Sarri knows when he has to inject a bit of pragmatism into Sarrismo in pursuit of a win or, when the opponent is Manchester City on their current form, in avoidance of a massacre.

A false-nine is not usually a defensive ploy under Maurizio Sarri. Sarri used a false-nine in his last two years at Napoli. Not only did this not sacrifice the core elements of Sarrismo, but Dries Mertens as the false-nine was a key component of the system. What happened on Saturday was the exception – befitting an exceptional opponent – not the rule.

Sarri should give Eden Hazard the opportunity to play false-nine against a less threatening opponent than Manchester City. He could do this as early as this weekend’s fixture against Brighton. Chelsea’s festive period schedule is almost entirely mid-table teams, but Brighton would be the least likely opponent to take advantage of something different out of the Blues, and their willingness to not stay deep and defend would minimize the risk of a frustrating outing for Hazard. Leicester would be the other best option, as they are currently in a bit of disarray and discontent, which could be blood in the water for Eden Hazard.

If Chelsea are serious about letting Alvaro Morata leave in January, Hazard will find himself as the false-nine much more frequently. Olivier Giroud will remain the super-sub and a starter against teams who play a physical low block – the opponents who most frustrate Hazard regardless of his position.

And if Chelsea are serious about not alienating Hazard to the point where he leaves for Real Madrid, they have to ensure he is happy and productive in whatever position he plays.

He could be happy and productive as the false-nine under Maurizio Sarri. But not if his only experience in the position comes in games where the Blues know they will be defending more than attacking, and where he will see little of the ball.