Chelsea news: Southampton take surprising approach to deal with Eden Hazard

SOUTHAMPTON manager Mauricio Pellegrino insists his side will not have any special plan in place to stop Eden Hazard.

The Belgium international has been at the centre of everything positive for Chelsea this season, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists.

And he also proved to be a team player this week when Antonio Conte deployed Hazard in a ‘false nine’ position, allowing Willian and Pedro more space to roam.

Hazard was initially awarded the man of the match after Chelsea’s win over Huddersfield last time out but he unselfishly handed it over to his team-mate Willian.

But it has been Hazard who has been Chelsea’s maintained threat this season once again.

However, despite Hazard’s obvious talents, Pellegrino admits Southampton will not have any special plan to deal with the wing-wizard.

something special when we play against important players," Pellegrino said.

 We try to defend him in zones.

“If you do man to man marking this type of player can move in different places and it will be difficult for us.

“We have to be really focused and don’t let him receive the ball too much where he is dangerous but the most important thing is to think about us first of all.

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Eden Hazard has been Chelsea's main talisman this season

“Chelsea are a team that don’t need to dominate you too much to be dangerous because on the counter attack they have players who create.

"They have players who can run 30 or 40 metres with the ball, like Willian, Pedro, even the full backs and Morata.

“They are a side that is comfortable when they are deep in different situations.

“For us it is a good opportunity. The last few games against the biggest teams in the Premier League we have played well.”