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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Gianfranco Zola reveals Eden Hazard would drive his manager 'crazy' at Chelsea

Former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri was driven "crazy" by Eden Hazard, according to Gianfranco Zola.

Blues legend Zola served as Sarri's assistant during the Italian's single season in the Stamford Bridge dugout, in which time he won the Europa League.

Hazard, recently retired after injury issues, was in his pomp during the 2018-19 campaign and finished as top scorer despite regularly irking Sarri with his infamous attitude towards training.

Many in the game have pondered over the heights Hazard might have hit had he put more effort into the day-to-day grind, but Zola recalled how the Belgian was actually similar to other mercurial talents he has come across.

Zola told the Obi One Podcast: "[Hazard] was the player that used to drive Maurizio crazy more than any other.

Gianfranco Zola was Maurizio Sarri's assistant at Chelsea in 2018-19 (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

"Maurizio in training would say, 'Come on boys let's start again' and Eden would go, 'Okay coach' and put his head down because he didn't like repetition.

"I know players like him wanted to do different stuff and funny stuff because they are so good and could win games on their own.

"Having said that he was fantastic because he was complaining about the training sessions sometimes and the gym - but he was always so good for us in the crucial moments.

"There was a difficult, difficult time when were playing away at Cardiff and we were losing, and he was on bench because we were resting him.

"The supporters were chanting against Sarri and wanted him out. Hazard came on the pitch and he completely changed the game and won it for us.

"He was amazing and the way he played that year was great. He saved us so many times with his ability that I can only speak highly of him as a player and as a boy."

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