The Dutchman admits he’s never seen such a dip in form
Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink has admitted that winger Eden Hazard is in a dark place, after a woeful season which has seen him score twice.
The PFA Player of the Year was on top of the world in May last year, as Chelsea clinched the Premier League title, after winning the League Cup in the February and scoring 19 goals in all competitions.
However, two goals all season – both coming in the FA Cup – which has seen the Blues fall well short of their title ambitions, and close to relegation at Christmas, has left the Belgium international low on confidence.
“I have not seen a player dip as drastically as this before,” Hiddink admitted. “Eden was the number one and now he is at the end of a long row of players.
“Last year everything was beautiful and this year everything for him is dark. The contrast is huge.
“One moment you are the most valuable player – then you are hardly playing.
“Eden is having a difficult time. He is the kind of guy who is quiet, but the worries are there.”
Like a child
Hiddink has told the 25-year-old to go back to playing like a kid, in order to try and find the form that had earned him admiration from both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
The Dutchman is worried that Hazard is thinking too much about his current form, rather than thinking about the games themselves, in order to end his run of form.
And potentially the winger could be worrying about his place at the European Championships in France this summer, although, it remains highly unlikely he wont be selected for international duty.
“To some players you say, go on holiday. I have told him to go back and try to play like kids play – play and think in the moment, not about the past or the future.” Hiddink added.
“Eden hasn’t asked me for advice, he is not that kind of player. The last few days I have seen him training very spontaneously. I have no doubt he can reach those heights again.
“You see his movements, by nature they are perfect. But the question is, can you cope with a season like this? He can be on a that very high level again.
“The next period will be very interesting for him. I hope he uses his quality and doesn’t look too far ahead.
Hazard needs to prove worth
And with rumours of a move to PSG or Real, Hiddink has suggested that the Belgian focuses on his football at Chelsea, rather than his future. Hazard had hinted that he was keen on a move to PSG last year, but his current form makes that dream far from reality.
“If someone has other plans in his career, he has to show it at his present club.” Hiddink added.
