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Chelsea news: Why Eden Hazard would be better at Liverpool or Man City - Sky Sports pundit
CHELSEA star Eden Hazard would score more goals if he played for either Liverpool or Manchester City, claims former England defender Stuart Pearce.
Hazard has been set a target of 40 goals this season by Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.
The Belgian is currently the leading scorer in the Premier League with five goals from five games.
Hazard netted a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Cardiff on Saturday to send the Blues to the top of the table.
Chelsea remain third favourites to win the title this season behind reigning champions Manchester City and Liverpool.
Put him in the Liverpool team or the Manchester City team at this moment in time, then I think he might be able to
And Pearce reckons Hazard would have a far better chance of scoring 40 goals for either of his rivals than Chelsea.
“I’m not sure Chelsea will dominate the league enough to create enough chances for him to get 40 goals, because of Liverpool, because of Manchester City, because of other teams in the league at the moment,” he said on Sky Sports News.
“I’m going to say something controversial now. Put him in the Liverpool team or the Manchester City team at this moment in time, then I think he might be able to.”
Pearce still thinks Eden Hazard can improve at Chelsea and says Sarri must make sure he gets the best out of the 27-year-old.
“He’s the one player in the Chelsea ranks I think you’ve got to make sure you get the best out of him as a player,” he added.
“I think playing maybe, as Chelsea have done before with Costa up front with just two in behind him and Hazard being one of them, I think suits him down to the ground.
“I think he’s a serious professional. He’s proved that over the years.
“But I think you only find that out when your work with these players, what motivates them, do you know what I mean?
“I get the feeling he is one of these that has got so much ability and he works hard for the team as well.
“I think when you throw that in the mix, he’s one of these that you probably need to keep educating, keep testing him with regards to can you improve him, but also as well make sure you tell him on occasions, we all do as human beings, how well he’s doing.”
Chelsea play their first Europa League game of the season on Thursday when they visit PAOK Salonika (5.55pm).
Sarri's side face a trip to London rivals West Ham next in the Premier League on Sunday (1.30pm).
The Hammers picked up their first points of the season yesterday, beating Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park.