Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has disclosed in an interview that he is helping his fellow countryman to settle down quickly at Stamford Bridge.
“He is learning a lot. He is trying to speak English. I am helping him, I don’t know if I am a good teacher but I try “, said Hazard on Chelsea TV. The 2014/15 PFA Players’ Player of the Year heaped further praise on the former Marseille marksman by saying, “He gives everything on the pitch and in training. In him and Diego (Costa) we have two very good strikers.“
It is however the sublime form of Costa that has limited Batshuayi’s appearances for the London club so far. The Spain international has netted 5 goals in 5 games in the league this season. His form and Conte favouring single striker up top has led to the Belgian making substitute appearances in the league so far.
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Nonetheless, he has already started showing his worth by picking up an assist for the winning goal against West Ham and then equalized after coming on as a substitute away to Watford which Chelsea went on to win.
Hazard expressed understanding of the situation while praising Michy at the same time by saying, “Sometimes we play with one, sometimes with two. It’s difficult for him to sometimes be on the bench but he is still young, he has a lot to do with Chelsea, and I hope he will score a lot of goals.“
Batshuayi, nicknamed ‘Batsman‘, is definitely not short of ability when it comes to scoring goals as he bagged 23 goals for the French club last season. Further, he has 7 goals in 13 appearances for the Belgium U-21 team and 3 goals in 7 appearances for the senior team as well.
In fact, in his first start for Chelsea against Bristol Rovers in the second round of EFL Cup, he registered his name on the scoresheet twice in 12 minutes in a 3-2 win for the Blues. Conte has already been impressed with the 22-year old forward and has high hopes for him in the long run for Chelsea.
“Batshuayi is a young player but he has great potential for me; technique, great talent, two feet and also he is very fast. He can improve and become a strong forward. He is very young with great talent and I am happy for him and the other players”, said Conte.
Another factor that will help him adjust quicker to England is the semblance to former Chelsea striker and a Blues legend Didier Drogba. Drogba was also signed from Marseille in 2004 and both the strikers share further similarities in physical appearance, strength, aerial prowess and style of play.
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Batshuayi has acknowledged this fact as well and has also exhibited interest in following Drogba’s footsteps by scoring against bitter rivals Arsenal. Drogba had a phenomenal streak against the Gunners scoring 16 goals in 17 matches across all competitions.
If the 22-year old does indeed score against Arsenal, then the comparisons will have statistical backing as well and that opportunity could present itself this weekend when Chelsea play Arsenal in the London derby.
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