Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has revealed that he prefers to play in a wide position, rather than being used in the centre of a three-man attack.
Due to fitness issues regarding Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, head coach Antonio Conte has opted to deploy Hazard alongside Willian and Pedro in the final third, and the trio impressed as the Blues earned a 1-1 draw with Barcelona on Tuesday night.
However, while accepting the decision of Conte, Hazard has said that he performs better when being given more opportunities to run with the ball on the flanks.
The 27-year-old told reporters: "To be honest, I like the role as a false nine. But in games like that against quality opposition like Barcelona, it's difficult. You don't get a lot of balls. I might have touched 25 balls that night and 15 of them were flying towards my head.
"That is not really playing to my qualities. I won some aerial duels against Gerard Pique, and that's not bad.
"But if I had to choose, I prefer to play like I did in the last 10 minutes, which was out wide. But it's the manager who has the final word. On the wing I feel more comfortable. That's my place."
Hazard has scored 15 goals from 29 starts and seven substitute outings in all competitions this season.
Darren Plant
