Gianfranco Zola: Eden Hazard can learn from his struggles at Chelsea

Eden Hazard has struggled to find his form for Chelsea this season

GIANFRANCO ZOLA insists Eden Hazard can become a better player if he uses his slump in form as a springboard to improve at Chelsea.

 

Hazard has struggled to find his form of last term, where he scored 19 goals to help guide Chelsea to the Premier League title and claim the crown of PFA Player of the Year. 

With the Belgian and a host of other players underperforming for Jose Mourinho this term, it has lead to the defending Premier League champions finding themselves in an uncharacteristic 16th in the table. 

 

And Zola, who became a Stamford Bridge icon during a successful period at the club between 1996 and 2003, compared the 24-year-old’s poor form to his second season with the Blues. 

"Hazard is in a similar situation to I was at Chelsea in my second year," Zola said in the Evening Standard.

"The first year was very good, as it was for Hazard. He did so much, received so much recognition and now the spotlight is on him all the time and this is making everything he does a little more difficult."

 

The Italian legend, who managed Watford in 2012-13, thinks this experience will put Hazard in good stead.

"Every player goes through this but in a way I think it will be good for him as it will make him think more about his game.

"So it's an opportunity for him to become a better player. He is young and has the potential to be one of the best."