Eden Hazard needs to find his swagger, says Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink

8 years ago

Eden Hazard needs to find his swagger, says Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink

SportFootballPremier League
Eden Hazard needs to find his swagger, says Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink

Reigning Player of the Year hasn't scored a goal this season
Tom Sheen @Tom_Sheen Thursday 24 December 2015 11:33 BST

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink has challenged reigning Premier League Player of the Year to regain his "ego".

The Belgian winger was easily the division's biggest star as Chelsea cruised to the Premier League last season, but his form has dipped dramatically in a dreadful 2015-16 campaign.

Hazard, 24, is yet to score a goal in the Premier League this season and has just two assists for the Blues, who have won only five of their 17 matches so far.

He was seen as the main culprit, along with Diego Costa and to a lesser extent Cesc Fabregas, as one of the players who revolted against Jose Mourinho, which eventually led to the Portuguese's sacking last week.

But Hiddink, who returns to Stamford Bridge for a second interim spell, wants Hazard to rediscover the swagger that made him so good last term.

Hazard could yet beat hip trouble in time to face Watford at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, with Hiddink intent on helping the 24-year-old hit back to his best after a miserable opening to the new campaign.

"He had a terrific season last year and it's also normal you can have a setback after that," said Hiddink.

"But I think he can be a key player again."

Hazard proved an unwitting stooge in Dr Eva Carneiro's Chelsea exit in September. Blues medic Carneiro was branded "naive" for rushing onto the field to treat the Belgium star in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Swansea on August 8.

One of Chelsea's most potent and creative attacking forces last term, Hazard has been a shadow of his former self - but Hiddink vowed to restore the ex-Lille star to former glories.

"He is a key player as captain of the national team in Belgium - but also here when he gets back into shape.

"He was unlucky to be injured recently, which was another setback.

"We need to get the ego back for him to perform."

Hiddink will oversee Chelsea for the first match of his second spell at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, while Didier Drogba appears to inch ever closer to joining the Blues' backroom staff.

Former Chelsea hit man Drogba sat alongside Hiddink and owner Roman Abramovich for the 3-1 win over Sunderland last weekend.

The 37-year-old remains contracted for another season at Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer, but could yet assume a short-term role with Chelsea.

Drogba's MLS club have released a statement admitting talks with Chelsea over the Ivorian joining Hiddink's back-room staff on a temporary basis.

Montreal Impact want Drogba back for the start of the new season in March, however, leaving talks to continue between the two clubs.

"We are currently in contact with Didier Drogba and Chelsea FC," Montreal Impact confirmed via twitter.

"We are doing everything we can to have him back with the Impact in 2016.

"We understand his attachment to his former club and his desire to help them. We are willing to accommodate him.

"But our objective is to have him back for another season, as agreed in his contract. This situation is out of our control.

"We would like to thank our supporters for their understanding and their patience."