Jamie Carragher has given his choice for the best number 10 in the Premier League.
The English top-fight currently has some brilliant players in the position, from Christian Eriksen to Philippe Coutinho, Mesut Ozil to Eden Hazard. Kevin De Bruyne has arguably been the best footballer in the Premier League this season, and could come into the debate, but Pep Guardiola has used the Manchester City midfielder in a deeper position so far in this campaign.
Carragher reckons the De Bruyne has been “the best attacking player in the league this season”, but considers his Belgium teammate Hazard to be a cut above the other number tens in the Premier League.
“Eden Hazard remains the best number ten playing in England,” Carragher writes in his column for The Daily Telegraph.
“Having missed the start of the season with injury he has been finding form of late – outstanding in Chelsea’s recent victories. Hazard demonstrated his class when Chelsea defeated Manchester United recently, but there has been little acclaim for his re-emergence. Both he and Chelsea are improving. With the Belgian at his best Antonio Conte’s side are capable of going on the kind of run that made them title winners last season.”
Carragher also writes that Hazard “sets the standard” for other number tens to follow in the division, and he is worried that the 26-year-old could make a difference in Chelsea’s fixture with Liverpool this weekend.
As the former Liverpool defender states, Hazard has “gone under the radar recently” after missing the start of the season with an ankle injury. However, the 2015 PFA Player of the Year showed his class with two goals against West Brom last week.
Before Christmas, Chelsea have Premier League fixtures against Swansea City, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Huddersfield Town, Southampton and Everton. Hazard could be set to go on a great run of form.
