Chelsea

Eden Hazard: 'Olivier Giroud a great target man for Chelsea'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 14 February 2018

Eden Hazard describes new teammate Olivier Giroud as a "great target man" who can bring the best out of Chelsea's other attacking talents.

Eden Hazard has talked up the early impact made by new teammate Olivier Giroud since making the switch from Arsenal to Chelsea last month.

The French striker impressed on his first start on Monday evening, claiming an assist for the opening goal against West Bromwich Albion and being heavily involved throughout his hour on the field.

Giroud has helped lift some weight off the shoulders of Alvaro Morata, who has struggled for fitness of late and failed to score in seven matches since December 26, while also providing a slightly different option to link play up top.

Speaking to reporters after his side's 3-0 win over Albion, Hazard admitted to being pleased by the late January addition.

"I think he's a great target man. He has a lot of defenders around him so we are free to play around him, myself, Pedro and Willian," the Belgium international said.

"He's a good guy, a good target man and he can score a lot of goals. He's a good point of reference but we have him, we have Alvaro and I can also play as a striker."

Hazard scored two of Chelsea's goals on their return to winning ways, while Victor Moses also chipped in with his second of the season.