Frank Lampard: Eden Hazard playing like Chelsea’s second striker
The Chelsea legend is impressed with Eden Hazard's performances in a more advanced role this season
Frank Lampard believes Eden Hazard has become a “second striker” in the Chelsea team this season.
The Belgium international has been in impressive form over the past month or so following his full recovery from an ankle problem.
Hazard broke his right ankle during the international break back in May to rule the forward out of the start of the 2017-18 season.
The 26-year-old has scored four goals in his last five games to find his stride in the current campaign despite firing a blank in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
Hazard scored 16 times and made five assists in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign last season to produce his best tally since moving to the Premier League in 2012.
The Belgian forward has forged a promising partnership with summer signing Alvaro Morata in recent months to provide Chelsea with a greater attacking threat.
Former Chelsea legend Lampard, who is the west London side’s record goal-scorer, believes Hazard is thriving in a more advanced role under Conte this term.
“Eden Hazard is playing further forward,” Lampard told BT Sport.
“You could start saying that he’s playing like a second striker but now he’s almost playing like a number nine at times. We always think of him coming to feet and dribbling and twisting. Now, he’s looking at that space in behind.
“He knows that Cesc Fabregas can put it where he wants to put it and when he gets in those areas, he’s got quality.”
Chelsea have won the Premier League title in two of the past three seasons under Jose Mourinho before Conte led the Blues to top-flight success in 2016-17.
The west London side signed six players in the summer transfer window.
