Antonio Conte told Chelsea don’t need Eden Hazard against Arsenal
Danny Murphy doesn't believe that Chelsea need to rush Eden Hazard back to action against Arsenal
Chelsea don’t need to rush Eden Hazard back into their starting line-up against Arsenal on Sunday, according to Danny Murphy.
The Belgian playmaker has been working his way back to full fitness for the west London side after missing the start of the campaign with an ankle problem.
The 26-year-old underwent surgery at the start of the summer after suffering the injury while on international duty with Belgium.
Hazard has recently made his first appearances of the season for Chelsea from the substitutes’ bench and he could be involved from the start for Sunday’s showdown with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
However, former midfielder Murphy feels that Conte is under no pressure to rush Hazard back to action because Willian and Pedro Rodriguez have both been performing so well in recent weeks.
Murphy told the Evening Standard: “I do not think Chelsea need to rush Eden Hazard back.
“They have two unbelievable players in Willian and Pedro who are playing well and they are winning games without him.
“That says a lot about Antonio Conte, making sure all the players know their job when they come in.
“When Hazard is at it, there is no doubt he makes Chelsea a better team – but they do not need him to beat Arsenal.”
Hazard was a key player for Chelsea last season as he helped the west London club win the Premier League title in Antonio Conte’s first campaign in charge at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, however, missed out on a domestic double last term when they were beaten by Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley back in May.
