Chelsea manager soothes Eden Hazard worries as Real Madrid monitor situation

Jose Mourinho was happy with Eden Hazard's (centre) performance against Stoke in midweek

JOSE MOURINHO insists Eden Hazard is back to his best after a faltering start to the season.

 

Hazard failed to score in his first nine games of the new campaign, resulting in him being benched for a crucial Champions League clash in Porto.

The Belgian came on as a second-half substitute but couldn’t prevent Chelsea going down 2-1 to the Portuguese champions.

He was dropped again following Chelsea’s disastrous 3-1 home loss to Southampton before the most recent international break - and was then heavily criticised for his performance against Dynamo Kiev in Europe.

But an upturn in form, including a committed outing in the Capital One Cup against Stoke in midweek, appears to have convinced manager Mourinho that Hazard’s heart is still in it.

“He tried everything in the last game, he had a positive game, he played for two hours – I am happy with his performance against Stoke,” Mourinho said.

“I was happy with his performance against Dynamo Kiev.

“Before that he was on the bench obviously because I was not happy and I felt it was the best thing for him.

“I am happy with his positive reaction to that.”

 

There were reports that a relationship breakdown between the pair could lead to Hazard, the Premier League Player of the Season for 2014/15, being sold in January.

Media in Spain even linked him with a move to Real Madrid.

But Mourinho, speaking after his side’s Capital One Cup exit at Stoke, appeared far from ready to let his star go.

"The attacking players enjoyed playing this game more than any before," Mourinho said.

"Eden, Oscar, Willian - the way they touched the ball [showed that]."