Eden Hazard Comments on Chelsea Positioning After No. 10 Role with Belgium

Eden Hazard has revealed his desire to move into a No. 10 role at Chelsea after having success there with Belgium, but he does not expect manager Antonio Conte to change the team's formation to accommodate the switch. 

According to the MailOnline's Adam Crafton, Hazard said:

"

I like to play as a No. 10. I think I have more freedom offensively. For Belgium, we have full backs who run hard and create a lot of space, which is good and I like to play there.

I don’t know if I will play there at Chelsea. You need to ask the manager! I play on the left hand side and I try to do the best I can.

It’s true I like to play as a 10. Sometimes at Chelsea we don’t play with system with a number 10, too. I don’t think Chelsea wants to change just for me (to play) as a 10. I did well in the past as a left winger and for now, I am trying to get back to that best again.

"

Hazard typically operates on the left at Stamford Bridge but was moved into the centre by Red Devils manager Roberto Martinez for their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Gibraltar, in which he scored a goal apiece.

Here's his strike against the former, per Sky Football:

Crafton believes Hazard was excelling in his new role:

The 25-year-old had a dreadful campaign last year, and while he isn't yet back to his best, he is slowly improving. Squawka Football shared his stats:

Chelsea have often played with a No. 10 in the past, usually as part of a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the likes of Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and Willian being used in the role.

Under Conte, the Blues have shifted to a 4-1-4-1 system and the Italian has also tried playing three at the back, with neither system making use of a No. 10. Indeed, it seems the boss is still trying to figure out his best team and formation, per ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:

Conte is still experimenting with his side, so it's possible he will give Hazard a run at No. 10 before he settles on a formation.

The Belgian has the attributes necessary to succeed there. He's technically gifted, creative and he's got quick feet—and perhaps more importantly, he's a quick-thinker—and getting the best out of him will help Chelsea's form immeasurably.

If he doesn't get a chance to play there, he's proved himself to be a world-class operator on the left in the past—he needs to regain that form.