Updated at 12.09
EVEN CHELSEA INTERIM manager Guus Hiddink has been shocked by Eden Hazard’s loss of form this season, describing his performances as “alarming” and warning that the Belgian must now “start performing”.
Judged the best player in the Premier League last season, Hazard has looked a shadow of his former self in 2015-16, with his output drastically reduced during Chelsea’s nightmare campaign.
The Premier League champions — 10th in the table — are 28 points off the title-winning pace set by Leicester City and 13 points adrift of Champions League qualification with six games remaining.
Chelsea’s drastic drop from last season has been encapsulated by Hazard’s personal output, with the Belgium international yet to score a league goal in 26 appearances this term, while the 25-year-old netted 14 goals in his 38 Premier League appearances in 2014-15.
“I’ve told him ‘hey, you must now start performing,’” Hiddink said of the struggling winger.
Normally you have your beautiful season as he had last season and then it is difficult to get a second season like that but not that drastically from what he is experiencing now.
“It is also due to injuries, but it is a complex situation, going into injury and not in top form — that must be alarming.
“It has gone through my head — what can I do to help get him back on track?
“I think he fell too much into injuries and had difficulty coming back.”
And Hiddink said Hazard needs to get back to enjoying football to play with more freedom.
“Right now he needs to come back by trying to play like kids play,” Hiddink insisted as Chelsea prepare to face Manchester City on Saturday.
That is the best always, try and play and think in the moment what you are doing and not what is in the past or in the future.
“Go back and try and play like a kid.
“Last year everything was beautiful and this year everything for him is dark. The contrast is huge.”
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@Brian Dunne: Relegation six pointer.
@Brian Dunne: of course you’re a Bohs fan…figures!
@Damien Leen: and very proud of it sunshine.
2nd goal was calamity from City. Keepers won’t wana see that again.
Cork rubbish on the night. Long season ahead unless big improvement
@Maurice Dinan: Occasion got to them. Hopefully they can show they are better than that performance. Young team and can only get better.
How long until this version of cork fold?