Eden Hazard as a false nine helps Chelsea defensively, says Maurizio Sarri

Maurizio Sarri likes to play Eden Hazard as a false nine for Chelsea as it gives them a better balance defensively.

Chelsea's reliance on Hazard was evident again in Saturday's 2-1 win over Newcastle when he created the decisive goal, scored brilliantly by Willian.

The Blues have scored just 13 goals in their last 11 Premier League games and Sarri is increasingly favouring an attacking focal point of Hazard, rather than recognised strikers Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata.

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"At the moment in the defensive phase we are doing very well and one of the reasons, in my opinion, is that Eden is playing in that position," said Sarri.

Hazard last season expressed frustration about being deployed as Chelsea's false nine under Antonio Conte.

But Sarri insisted the 28-year-old liked it after being asked to play there in December's win over Manchester City and frequently since.

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The Italian admitted Hazard was unhappy in the first half but grew into the game against Newcastle.

Hazard's happiness is key to Chelsea, given his contract expires in June 2020 and he has spoken of a daily quandary over whether to seek a "dream" move to Real Madrid.

"In the second half my feeling was that he enjoyed it," said Sarri.

"I played him there because I wanted to see the solution with the three small players.

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"I think that at this moment it is a very good solution because we are not less dangerous in the offensive phase.

"And in the defensive phase we are more balanced. In the last six matches we have conceded only three goals and one was a penalty.

"Now we need to improve attacking in the box when the ball is out of the box. It is impossible for Eden to stay in the box."

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Sarri has spoken of his wish to recruit an understudy for Jorginho, after Cesc Fabregas' move to Monaco.

Italy midfielder Jorginho struggled to assert himself against the Magpies, frequently relinquishing possession.

Sarri said: "After 20 minutes he lost a lot of balls. It's unusual and I think he was in trouble.

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"Maybe he was tired, I don't know. But if Fabregas was on the bench I think that in the second half he would have been on the pitch instead of Jorginho."

Asked if Ethan Ampadu could be a future option in that position, Sarri said: "In the future, maybe. Playing as a central midfielder in our team is not easy.

"We need to try and try and try in training. But I think he is able to do it."

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