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Martinez: Hazard showed he is a team player

11 Dec 2018

Belgium coach says Chelsea winger's humility was on display after playing as a No 9 in victory over Man City

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Eden Hazard's unfamiliar role leading the Chelsea attack against Manchester City on Saturday was a sign of the Belgian's readiness to be a team player, says Roberto Martinez.

The Chelsea winger adapted well to the request of his head coach Maurizio Sarri to play as a No 9, setting up both goals in the 2-0 win.

Martinez, Hazard's national team coach, was not surprised by the 27-year-old's selflessness.

"That's probably what people don't see," Martinez says. "Eden Hazard is a mature footballer. If he has to do something for the team he will do it.

"He did it in the World Cup with Belgium. Yes, he relies on individual quality in what he brings in the game, but he is a team player.

"As you saw [on Saturday] he was prepared to do something that he's not used to and doesn't do normally. But he's prepared to understand what he needs to do when the ball gets into his feet."

Martinez says Hazard has the attributes to lead the line whenever necessary, but expects him to return to his usual role at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

"He's someone who can hold the ball as well as any No 9, a target man," says Martinez. "He's got a really good centre of gravity.

"I'm sure Eden can play in different situations but that it was a one-off. You're not going to be facing Manchester City or the quality of Manchester City [every week]."

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