The 23-year-old was booed some fans at Stamford Bridge following Jose Mourinho's sacking and reveals that his former team-mate is always there for him
Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has revealed that Didier Drogba has acted like a "big brother" by helping raise his spirits in an attempt to try and recapture his form of last season.
The 23-year-old hit 19 goals in all competitions last season as the Blues won the Premier League title but has struggled this term, scoring his only goal against MK Dons in January.
A run of nine defeats in 16 games saw manager Jose Mourinho dismissed a month earlier with Chelsea 16th in the league and just one point above the relegation zone
Hazard - along with Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa - bore the brunt of the frustration from home supporters who felt they had contributed to Mourinho's downfall.
Yet the Belgium international revealed he was helped through a difficult period by Drogba.
"He's always backed me,” Hazard told The Guardian.
“I’m not sure whether he'd ever experienced periods like that in his career, but I've always considered him a bit like a big brother.
"He's there for me, whether it's a text message or a phone call, and he's helped raise my spirits. But I've never doubted myself."
And while admitting he is not as powerful a presence off the pitch as former colleague Drogba, the ex-Lille man hopes to deliver once more on it.
He said: "I've never been one to deliver speeches in the dressing room, like a John Terry, Frank Lampard or Drogba.
"But I've always tried to lead in my own way on the field: demanding the ball, trying to make a difference.
"The day I'm 100 per cent again, I'm convinced Chelsea will perform better too. It's up to me to raise my level again."
- Goal