Roberto Martinez Outlines Pulisic and Hazard’s Differences
Former manager of Wigan Athletic Roberto Martinez has revealed the differences between Christian Pulisic and Belgium superstar Eden Hazard.
Pulisic scored a perfect hat-trick in Chelsea’s ruthless 4-2 win against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
These were the first Chelsea goals for the 21-year-old and the first hat-trick in his professional career.
The American endured a slow start to his Chelsea career after securing a move away from Borussia Dortmund but recent performances are showing why Chelsea signed him to replace Eden Hazard.
Despite not playing regularly, Pulisic has three goals and four assists for Chelsea in all competitions this season.
Pulisic’s recent display has earned him comparisons with the Real Madrid forward, but Martinez, a man who is currently coaching Hazard at the Belgium national team believes that the two players have different qualities.
“[They're] very different, very different. Eden is a player that stops and assesses where he can execute his moment in a one v one situation," Martinez told Goals on Sunday.
"I think Christian is dynamic, he always needs to be on the move. He's someone that needs to receive on the move, so they're very different in that aspect.
"I think what they bring in the final third is exactly the same, players that think and take control of the moment and then they can find a good assist or a goal."
The 46-year-old was quick to praise Frank Lampard for man-managing the player to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League.
He said: "I saw Christian Pulisic play a lot for Borussia Dortmund last season. He's exactly what you say, there is a lot of technical players that when they get in the box, everything is rushed,"
"He is the opposite, when he gets in the box he makes the right call, he can finish with his right, his left, he's a very impressive player.
"What impressed me the most is the way Frank Lampard has managed him. We all know when a foreign player arrivers in the Premier League, it doesn't matter who you are, you need a settling period.
"For Lampard to know exactly what Christian needed, it's taken him ten games to unleash him in a way, I think from the European Cup and the game against Liverpool in the Super Cup, Christian Pulisic is now adapted to the Premier League. That's full credit to Frank Lampard."
