Eden Hazard’s relationship with Chelsea FC and Jose Mourinho has reportedly hit a rocky patch, with the Belgian magician being linked with a summer move to Real Madrid.
Hazard has endured a slow start to the season, so far not scoring a single goal in either domestic or European competition. His form has been distinctly patchy, with his overall play being well below the level fans have come to expect from the mercurial winger.
His performance level has coincided with Chelsea’s worse start to a season in almost 30 years, with many other top professionals at the club suffering from poor form with Nemanja Matic apparently suffering from a lack of confidence according to Chelsea boss, Mourinho.
The most worrying part for fans will be the public denigration of Hazard by Mourinho, who was dropped for the Blues 2-0 Premier League win against Aston Villa. Hazard was left on the bench as Mourinho sought defensive stability, the inference being that, although talented, Hazard does not work hard enough for the team.
Mourinho stated after the game:
“It was just a tactical decision, leaving super quality on the bench, but bringing tactical discipline and hoping that the team could be solid. Willian and Pedro did amazing defensive work and allowed the midfield players to be very comfortable. I continue that way, or he comes in our direction and tries to replicate the same work that Willian and Pedro did.”
Whilst it is true that Chelsea did keep a clean sheet – their first in five matches – a game against Tim Sherwoods’ Aston Villa will have been exactly what the doctor ordered, following back to back defeats to FC Porto and Southampton.
Is this the beginning of the end for Hazard at Chelsea?
Dropping Hazard is a statement of intent from Mourinho. He is demonstrating to his squad that he is in charge and those who do not follow his orders will not be selected in the team. His treatment of Hazard and his explanation of leaving him on the bench are similar to comments he made in 2014 following Chelsea’s loss to Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League:
“It’s normal because he’s not the kind of player ready to sacrifice himself 100 per cent for the team and for his mates. Eden is the kind of player who is not so mentally ready to look back at his left-back and live his life for him. Normally you get this kind of comment from players like him: from players who can’t resolve a problem like we had with the first goal. If you see the first goal, you understand where the mistake was and why we conceded”.
The fact that this scenario is resurfacing shows that either Hazard is unwilling to make the tactical adjustments Mourinho sees as a priority and sacrifice himself for the team, or, that Mourinho is using Hazard as a political pawn to demonstrate that he is the one in charge and is creating tension in the camp to weed out those not 100% behind him.
Whichever is true, it’s a situation that if left to continue and fester will result in either Mourinho or Hazard not seeing out their contracts at Chelsea. Hazard is prime property and with Real Madrid’s seemingly endless supply of euro’s to purchase the best in world football, it is easy to see Hazard pulling on the famous white jersey of Los Blanco’s next season.
From Hazards’ perspective he must look at the treatment of Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, and wonder why Mourinho isn’t building a team around him. If Mourinho believes the statements he has made on Hazard in the past, then it would suggest that he sees him as the third best player in the world, with the potential for him to be a future Ballon D’or winner. Would Luis Enrique and Rafa Benitez make the two aforementioned stars track full backs deep into their own half?
It would be churlish to suggest that Hazard should have no responsibility within the team, but a better use of his energy and explosiveness would be to allow him to take rests in games, not chase midfield runners and then expect him to be able to provide the sparks of genius that win important matches at important moments.
The downfall of Joe Cole is proof that Mourinho does get what he wants and eventually brings people round to his way of thinking. His treatment of Cole left England short of one of the most talented players of his generation, due to having the flair, inventiveness and exuberance drilled out of him in favour of running hard yards and defensive work rate. Likewise, Juan Mata has been a revelation for Manchester United since being written off by Mourinho as not possessing the athletic qualities to succeed at the very top level.
Hazard is quite obviously in a category above Cole and Mata, but the same principles apply. Management is about achieving aims and objectives via the effective use of the tools around you; Mourinho is intent on reshaping his best tools to fit what he wants, rather than construct a team by adapting his methods to suit the players at his disposal.
Chelsea fans must hope that Mourinho realises how important Hazard is to the success of the club, both on and off the pitch, and is able to become Mourinho the father figure as opposed to Mourinho the headmaster. If he isn’t able to do this in time, it could be too late for Chelsea and Hazard to resolve their differences.
