Guus Hiddink challenges unhappy Chelsea star to improve

GUUS HIDDINK has challenged Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard to recapture last season’s match-winning form.

 

Guus Hiddink wants Eden Hazard to perform like he did for Chelsea last season

 

Hazard has been a shadow of the outstanding footballer that rightly received the 2014-15 PFA Players’ Player of the Year accolade as Chelsea lifted the Premier League title. He has yet to score for the Blues this season.

The 25-year-old, expected to play in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round clash at MK Dons, suffered a leg injury earlier this month at Crystal Palace, which sidelined him for three weeks. At that stage, he hadn’t long returned from a hip problem.

But, once he returns to full fitness, Hazard has been told to reach the same exceptional heights experienced last term.

 

Hiddink said: “For the club, beautiful times can come up for him, for what we are aiming as a club, and on top of that there is a Euros coming up. 

“With Eden, he’s had this injury. Hopefully he’s coming back to where he was before. Then we can enjoy him. 

“He needs training and game fitness, and you only get that by playing games. The fitness is important for him. If he is fit, then he will be happy to play. When he gets his rhythm back in the upcoming weeks, then Hazard is of big value to Chelsea.

 

“Yes, it’s difficult for all of them, for any team after a huge success like winning the Premier League. This club has experienced that in the previous half year. There’s a setback, which is normal, and you need a wakeup call somewhere in September or October.”

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been a frequent visitor to the Cobham training HQ in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s sacking. But Hiddink says this is no sign of crisis – as he often invites his “ultimate boss” to watch training sessions.

 

He revealed: “Normally when big bosses come to the training ground, then it’s sometimes a bad message. They go there to punish or whatever. 

“But I’ve also invited my bosses down – even though they’ve the right to do that at any time – to come. Normally they don’t want to interfere, but I say ‘feel welcome to come to training and watch’. 

“Roman was here the previous week several times. We organised this U21s game against QPR. I invited him down. Remember they started to love football many years ago, so it’s important they are part of it.”