Eden Hazard has opened up about how Antonio Conte told him to always look for Diego Costa to boost Chelsea’s title hopes.
The Blues clinched their second title in three seasons as Conte introduced himself to the Premier League, the Italian narrowly missing out on a debut campaign Double, with a return of 93 points.
Hazard scored 16 league goals, his best in a Chelsea shirt, to be named as the club’s Player of the Year for the third time and the Belgian thanked Conte for his tactical nous.
“I started to play a bit more centrally, like a Number.10,” he told the club’s official website of his manager’s 3-4-3 switch.
“Alonso was close to me so he was able to help when we didn’t have the ball, just like Kante, Matic and Fabregas. The new system helped us because we have the players who suit the formation.
“The manager said to me I have to try to find Diego Costa. When I play I always try to pass to him, or look for him to make a run which opens up the space for me to come inside.
“I always try to be close to him because I know it makes it difficult for defenders when there is two of you, or even three when Pedro or Willian are there as well.
“When we remain static it makes it easier for them to mark us, so I tried to stay close to him and play one-touch football, which worked well.”
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