Chelsea FC: Guus Hiddink is key for Eden Hazard’s resurgence

Chelsea FC’s Guus Hiddink must get Eden Hazard back on track in order for the Blues to find success this season

Life after Mourinho appears to be going off without a hitch at Stamford Bridge. Make no mistake, things could be better, but they are improving.

When the Portuguese tactician was relieved of his duties, it appeared as though West London had reached a boiling point. No one was safe from blame and it ultimately took its toll on the players and their performances.

And no one suffered more than Diego Costa. The Spaniard performed far below his potential to say the least, letting his emotions take too much of a toll on his overall output.

It’s impossible to put this blame completely on Mourinho, as the Portuguese was in charge of bringing him to West London and overseeing his first masterful season at Chelsea FC.

More from Playing for 90

• Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
• Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
• Barcelona put five past Real Betis
• Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
• Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory

However, it’s clear that whatever was taking place between the pair, wasn’t helping Costa play any better. Which helped lend itself to Mourinho’s departure and Hiddink’s arrival. 

And the results couldn’t be much better when considering Costa’s output. The Spaniard has 8 goals in his last 11 appearances under the Dutchman.

But even looking further than his goals, Costa is playing with the right attitude, making the runs in the channels, and making defenders have to deal with more than his rash behavior.

Whatever Hiddink has said to the striker, it’s working. And he must say the same thing to Eden Hazard.

The Belgian International has looked far from his best this campaign. And while injuries, tactical decisions by past managers, and overall disinterest has appeared to hold him back, it no longer can. He’s simply out of excuses. 

More from Chelsea FC

• Tuchel has eyes on Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah
• Permanent move of Cobham graduate Lewis Hall to Newcastle United
• Chelsea are not pleased with the Lukaku-Vlahović swap deal
• Chelsea joins the race against Liverpool for Romeo Lavia
• Blues select Reece James as captain and Chilwell is new vice-captain

Hazard remains Chelsea’s best player. It’s as simple as that. On his day, he’s probably the best player in England. The problem is that this season, it hasn’t ever been his day.

However, it’s time that Hazard takes on some of the responsibility for Chelsea FC’s poor play, not just in words but by actions. It seems that as Chelsea struggle, the links with an exit for the Belgian grow stronger.

Right before the PSG match, he admitted that he would find it tough to turn down a move to Paris, given their ability to compete in the Champions League.

Putting aside the profound amount of disrespect in these comments, it’s important to look at the thinking behind them. It’s essentially Hazard thinking he’s above responsibility for Chelsea’s lack of ability to compete this season. He’s seeking the easy way back into the Champions League, and it’s not through hard work and perseverance.

Hiddink must get him refocused. He has to get back to a place where he has the potential to be a match winner. It’s a waste of talent for Hazard to be thinking about anything else.

Hazard, while still young and inexperienced, shouldered a heavy burden in Chelsea’s title challenge last year. He’s proven that he has the guile and determination that it takes to be successful. Now it’s time to test his ability to cope with adversity.

It’s time for him to buck up and become the player he is supposed to be. Chelsea will be all the better for it and Hiddink is the key to making this happen.

Just as Costa appeared to have his mind elsewhere, Hazard lacks focus. Hiddink must get him to start thinking about football. Everything else is white noise and distraction. 

And who knows, with Hazard playing more aligned with his potential, Chelsea may sneak back into the Champions League. Or at least find FA cup success. However, they desperately need a healthy, happy, and focused Hazard to do so. Hiddink is the key to finding him.