Hazard talks Jose Mourinho, Maurizio Sarri and getting the better of Manchester United's Ander Herrera
Saturday 20 October 2018 09:11, UK
Jamie Redknapp sat down with Eden Hazard in a Match Zone special for an in-depth look at the Belgian's blistering form ahead of Chelsea's clash with Manchester United on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
Hazard is currently producing some blistering performances under Maurizio Sarri, averaging a goal or assist every 58 minutes - which is by far the best ratio of his Premier League career - while he's also converting more chances than ever before, netting seven in the league this season.
Ahead of his reunion with former boss Jose Mourinho, Redknapp caught up with Hazard in the Match Zone booth to discuss his current form, look back on some of his great goals, talk regrets over his time working with Mourinho and, of course, Saturday's big match...
Are you in the form of your life?
"It's hard to say, yes, but at the moment I'm scoring goals, so that's why people think I'm in the best form of my life. I don't always look at stats and goals - I want to just enjoy myself on the pitch. If I can score goals then that's good for me and Chelsea."
What messages does he give you?
"It's simple - he likes his teams to have the ball. If you touch the ball more, you have more chances to score. He tells me I need to score 40 goals - if I reach 40 goals it will be amazing for me. He's always encouraging me to shoot, dribble. If I miss, that's no problem. As we have more possession the team are finding me and that's why I'm scoring more goals."
How close are you to becoming the best in the world?
"I am doing OK - but Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been doing this for 10 years. I think it's hard to get to the same level as them because what they've shown in the last 10 years in crazy. I just want to keep scoring. It's not in my mind that in order to be the best you need to score goals. I'm enjoying being on the pitch - that's my philosophy."
You recently said you'd like to work with Mourinho again?
"A journalist asked me if I have any regrets with my career at Chelsea, I said: 'Yes, maybe one'.
"As we had everything at Chelsea, a good team with one of the best managers in the world in Jose Mourinho. We won the Premier League then we did very bad. It was frustrating to see this manager leave the club as we won everything together, then in football when the team is not doing very well the manager goes. It was a strange feeling - that's my one regret. If I can work with him again, no problem."
Are you expecting special treatment from Manchester United on Saturday?
"Yes I think so. The last three years against Manchester United it's been like this. Ander Herrera or last year it was Scott McTominay - I accept that. First you must play simple, then pass and move as if Herrera is marking me I know that I'm quicker than him. If I pass the ball when I'm running, I could do something good. I also have to move the ball quickly with my team-mates and when around the box try to do something."
Are Chelsea title challengers?
"Yes, the season is still young. City and Liverpool are a bit better but we are Chelsea - we have done it before but we can tell the target is to win the league. We are Chelsea, we have a great manager and great players, so no doubt about this."
Could you end your career with Chelsea and not move to Spain?
"I can finish with Chelsea. No problem at all. I am very happy with this club, with the team, my family is happy here.
"So If I don't go to Spain, it is not a problem. I love the fans - I think the fans love me! What happens in the future, I will be happy, so that's it."
