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Rafael Benitez: 'Eden Hazard needs to adapt'

Benitez: 'Hazard needs to adapt'
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Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez informs Eden Hazard that he still has work to do if he is to become a top Premier League player.

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has challenged Eden Hazard to alter his game in order for him to become more effective in the Premier League.

The Belgian international, who joined the Blues from Lille in the summer, made an instant impression on the English game throughout August and September with a string of assists and goals.

However, in recent weeks his contributions have not been so frequent, leading Benitez to encourage the 21-year-old to work even harder.

"I saw the player's evolution in Lille. I was following him when he was 19 and he was a good player but after that he was even better and he can change a game," said Benitez. "He is a great player but he has to adapt also to the tempo of the Premier League, it is not the same way to play [as in France].

"At Lille he knew he was the key player and the way he was playing was with this feeling - 'I am the best player and I will do what I want to do and it will be right'.

"Here you come to the maximum level in the Premier League and Champions League. You have to be always at your best and sometimes you cannot make the difference. It is something that he will see and learn from and he is doing well, but he can still do better because he is a great player."

Hazard has scored four goals and claimed 12 assists in all competitions so far this season.

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Rafa Benitez instructs his Chelsea boys on December 1, 2012
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