Maurizio Sarri is playing a dangerous game with Eden Hazard

There is usually a sense of history repeating itself with Chelseaand their managers, but the current cycle involving Eden Hazard and Maurizio Sarri is alarmingly quick even by their standards.

It is 10 months since Hazard publicly voiced his criticism of Antonio Conte’s decision to use him as a false nine against Manchester City. “When you leave the pitch you have the impression that you’ve run but that you haven’t played a game of football — that’s a pity,” said the Belgian last March after a 1-0 defeat which flattered the Blues.

Hazard is one of the best players in the world when in form, motivated and focused. That, coupled with a contract extension saga which has dragged on for months, is precisely why the 28-year-old is indulged more than most when it comes to public declarations, which are more frequent and wide-ranging than many at Stamford Bridge would surely like.

Amid ongoing interest from Real Madrid, Hazard regularly suggests he is torn over whether to sign a £300,000-a-week deal to stay in west London or explore opportunities elsewhere. But this week he made a frank admission about his role in testing relationships with managers past and present.

“I didn’t just frustrate Conte,” Hazard said in an interview with France Football magazine. “In my career, I’ve frustrated all my coaches. And with Sarri, once again, I frustrate him. They think that I need to mark more, do more of this and more of that. And the next coach that I have, I’ll frustrate him as well.”

“I prefer him when he speaks with his feet,” said the Italian. “He has to do more. At this moment, he’s more an individual player than a leader.”

Laying down such a blunt challenge to Hazard is a high-risk strategy. Even Conte kept his disappointment at Hazard’s form largely confined to the training ground.

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain’s arrival from Italy will enable Sarri to start utilising his players in their best positions, but all eyes will be on Hazard this evening to see how he “talks with his feet”.

Any further deterioration in Sarri’s relationship with Hazard may start Chelsea fans asking this question: if only one can stay, would you rather it was Hazard or Sarri?