Hull City need to stop the Chelsea star who has 3 goals in 3 games against them, and why they ought to take a leaf out of Celtic’s book.
Hull City caretaker manager Mike Phelan
Mike Phelan has a number of decisions to make tomorrow when Hull City host Chelsea at the KCOM Stadium, but arguably none more important than how to stop Eden Hazard. The Belgian has been a menace to Hull City in recent seasons, and having been unable to stop bogey player Alexis Sanchez from adding to his tally against the club, it’s imperative that the Tigers do a better job of thwarting Hazard.
Hull could be accused of standing off Hazard too much in previous encounters with Chelsea, and whilst he has scored some wonderful goals against the East Yorkshire outfit, one suspects Steve Bruce won’t have been too happy with the freedom he has been given in the past. Hull City’s task is made even harder by the fact that Hazard will not be up against an orthodox full-back on Saturday.
With Moses Odubajo currently sidelined with a long-term injury and Ahmed Elmohamady serving a one-match suspension for his handball against Liverpool last weekend, Phelan has a decision to make with regards to who he shoe-horns in at right-back.
Eden Hazard enjoys playing Hull City
Shoe-horning players into unfamiliar positions is something Phelan has had to become rather familiar with during his short time as Hull City caretaker manager though, having started the season with just 13 fit senior players, the likes of Jake Livermore and Sam Clucas have all had to take on new roles following a shambolic pre-season.
David Meyler, Jake Livermore and James Weir are the three players who could fill the void vacated by Ahmed Elmohamady at right-back, and it’s Meyler who seems the most likely to do so. The Irishman began the season in central midfield, but lost his place to record signing Ryan Mason for the Tigers trip to Anfield.
If it is indeed Meyler who comes in, one could arguably call him Hull City’s most important player on Saturday. The industrious international is not one to shy away from a battle, and will relish the chance to go toe-to-toe with one of the world’s best. Hull could use Meyler getting in Hazard’s face and preventing him from having the time and space he has been afforded in previous meetings.
David Meyler is likely to come in at right-back for Hull City
Although Meyler’s bullish approach and enthusiasm could be just what’s required to restrict Hazard’s influence upon the game, it has to be tempered in the right way. The Tigers have now conceded three penalties and had two players sent off in their last two games, giving themselves virtually no chance of taking anything from the games.
Whilst Arsenal and Liverpool were two teams bang in-form; playing fast, flowing and incisive football, Chelsea are not. They too have lost their last two league games to Liverpool and Arsenal, and there is some ill-feeling in their camp at the moment. Conte criticised his players for having bad attitudes and being a great team on paper but not on the pitch following defeat to Arsenal.
Whilst cries of ‘crisis’ are all too common within the game today, Chelsea have a serious defensive problem, although they will be buoyed by the return of club captain John Terry. Whether he partners Gary Cahill or David Luiz we shall, one suspects it will be the latter but the ex-Juventus boss could justify dropping either.
Chelsea’s defence was poor vs Arsenal
Even with John Terry back in the team, Chelsea look a team with a multitude of defensive frailties. Branislav Ivanovic appears to be easily beaten at right-back, Gary Cahill has been very error-prone recently, Cesar Azpilicueta looks vulnerable, Nemanja Matic is offering very little protection in midfield and David Luiz is David Luiz.
All this means that Hull City surely have to take a leaf out of Celtic’s book from their midweek Champions League tie with Manchester City. Celtic were expected to be thrashed by the Premier League leaders, but by playing with a high tempo, getting at Pep Guardiola’s team in their vulnerable wide areas and taking their chances in front of goal, they led three times before earning a credible point.
Steve Bruce was often criticised for being too cautious, whilst Curtis Davies recently stated that the major difference between Phelan and Bruce was that Hull now go into every game trying to win. Well this Saturday is their chance to prove it. The Tigers need to be brave, be positive and most importantly, try to keep 11 men on the pitch.
Hull City need to be positive against Chelsea
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