Interim manager Guus Hiddink believes that Eden Hazard has a long way to go to get back to his exceptional best as a Chelsea player.
The Belgian has failed to sustain the form he showed in last season's Premier League-winning campaign, which earned him the 2015 PFA Player of the Year award, but he is thought to be happy to stay at Chelsea after a recent upturn in form.
Hazard only managed his first Premier League goal of the season at the end of April against Bournemouth and he broke a year-long home goal drought year against rivals Tottenham on Monday,
“I think so,” said Hiddink, when asked if Hazard faces a long road back to regain the level of form he was at when Chelsea won the title in 2014-15.
“It will take a long time [to come back], if you mean the level of recognition of a Ballon d’Or or whatever then you need more consistency in performances, like the big players in a big league like La Liga.”
“They are performing there under huge pressure but they enjoy it, the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Iniesta and others. They enjoy it very much but they have more consistency in their performance. It is a longer way for him to knock on that door.”
The 25-year-old is thought to be desperate to prove himself again at Chelsea despite interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in his services.
Hazard’s season started on the wrong foot after being involved in the row between Eva Carneiro, Chelsea’s former club doctor, and Jose Mourinho as he was treated on the pitch in the opening day draw with Swansea City.
Hiddink believes he is starting to reach his former level despite not being fully match fit, and that he is showing a more positive attitude in training after previously being described as “depressed.”
“Players like him, they are gifted, if the conditions are well for him and the physical part [of the game] then they love to play. The big, big players love to play as amateurs. He needs to play like an amateur again.”
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- Goal