Chelsea’s Petr Cech sings Eden Hazard’s praises

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech admits he has been impressed with Eden Hazard's instant impact at Stamford Bridge

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By TSR staff Wednesday 29 August 2012, 10:06 UK

Petr Cech joined Chelsea from Rennes for £7m in 2004Photo: The Sport Review

petr cech

Petr Cech has heaped praise on Chelsea new-boy Eden Hazard after the Belgian’s promising start to life in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old netted his first top-flight goal from the penalty spot last Saturday as Chelsea beat Newcastle following his equally impressive displays against Reading and Wigan.

Chelsea have had to cope with the loss of talismanic striker Didier Drogba this summer but the Blues shot-stopper believes Roberto Di Matteo’s new-look side – including Hazard – have already started to gel.

“The French league is a tough league, so it shows what a good player he [Hazard] is, and he’s still only 21 years old,” Cech told Chelsea’s website.

“It’s great to have players like him coming into the club. It’s tough to lose a player like Didier [Drogba], but Fernando [Torres] is scoring goals again, and the likes of [Juan] Mata, Hazard and Lamps [Frank Lampard] when he’s been playing, have found a quick understanding in the midfield and it’s great to see.

“He can make a difference on his own, and that’s what sometimes helps when you have a tight game.

“He takes people on and creates situations where other players can take advantage. It’s very helpful when you have tough games.”

Chelsea travel to Monaco on Friday to take on Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup – and Cech has been thrilled by the Blues’ start to the season, with the west Londoners topping the table with a maximum nine points.

“We’ve had the advantage of playing three games whereas most other teams have only played two,” he added.

“To be sitting on the top of the league with the Super Cup coming up, we can relax, and when we play next in the Premier League we will be in a good position. That was the target and we managed to fulfil it.

“It’s always better if you have a base and build on it. If you make mistakes from the start, you have to keep chasing teams and then you’re dependant on other results. You are controlling your own destiny when you pick up three points every time.”