Chelsea FC legend Gianfranco Zola, in an interview with Standard Sport, gave fellow Blue midfield wizard Eden Hazard some advice on how to handle teams that mark him tightly. He also gave Hazard some advice that may try to outmuscle the youngster or play extra physical against him. Zola is familiar with the level of physicality that some Premier League defenses can show as he learned the hard way in his seasons at Chelsea.
Zola’s advice to the young Belgian:
"“It is one of the things you have to cope with when you are as skillful and talented as he is. I know what it’s like from my career and at first it can be quite challenging.Sometimes it may be a case of Hazard doing what is right for the team if the opposition are playing defensively. They may get physical with him and it’s not easy to handle. But it’s all about being patient, waiting for the time and space to cause the opposition trouble. Plus if they’re paying extra attention to him, there should be space for someone else to exploit.”"
Some fans and even former Chelsea coach and player Roberto Di Matteo dubbed Eden Hazard “the next Gianfranco Zola” so the expectations on the youngster have been sky high since he arrived from Lille in the summer of 2012. That title was also placed on Juan Mata but clearly one took the claims more seriously than the other. Hazard has won a place in the hearts of many Chelsea fans this year, especially with his hat trick at Newcastle United, but he has still plenty to do before he can be on the same level as Zola. Delivering another Premier League or Champions League title this year is a very good place to start.
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