Chelsea star Eden Hazard has the ability to score around 40 goals this season, according to manager Maurizio Sarri.
The lively lynchpin was instrumental as the Blues brushed aside newly-promoted Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon, scoring a hat-trick in the process as his side won 4-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Speculation was gaining serious traction over the summer that Hazard might part company with Chelsea and that he was reportedly in Real Madrid’s crosshairs.
However, the Belgian has remained in west London and has so far enjoyed a sensational start to the new campaign, scoring five goals in his opening five Premier League matches, while also providing two assists for his teammates.
Having showcased his ability on Saturday, Sarri now believes the 27-year-old can push on and rival the goalscoring exploits of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who both frequently net over 40 goals in a single campaign.
He told reporters (via ESPN): “When we have the ball in our half, he touches the ball five or six times, so his actions show he spends a lot of energy and [he] can have more energy in the last 25 metres. I think he can score 30 or 35 goals.
“I think he can do it. I told him in the last two days because Eden only arrived two days ago. After the international [break], I prefer to give the players one day off. I have spoken to him in the last two days, and yesterday, I told him for me he can score 40 goals. But spend less energy far from the goal and play in the last 25 metres.”
Hazard is flourishing under the tutelage of the former Napoli coach, who has a propensity for getting the best out of versatile wingers; notably the transformation of Dries Mertens into a goalscoring machine during his time at the Stadio San Paolo.
Hazard has netted double digits for the past two seasons, but he will be hoping to better his previous tally of 17 across all competitions last term, and he has made a flying start to life under the Italian tactician, despite only completing 90 minutes on two occasions.
Chelsea next face PAOK in the Europa League group stage on Thursday evening.
The post Sarri: Hazard can score 40 goals for Chelsea this season appeared first on Squawka News.
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