During the international break Eden Hazard, the creative maestro of Chelsea FC’s attack, suggested he may be suffering from fatigue. According to the IB Times, the midfielder has played in 48 matches for club and country going back to Belgium’s quarterfinal defeat to Argentina in last summer’s world cup. He has become a regular selection for Jose Mourinho’s starting 11 and it doesn’t appear he will be able to find some much needed rest in the near future.
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Table-toppers Chelsea FC resumes the Premier League season this Saturday against Stoke City. Chelsea is currently 6 points up on rival Manchester City, with a game in hand against the reigning champions. Tottenham Hotspur’s Nacer Chadli replaced Hazard after an hour of their win over Israel in their Euro 2016 qualifier this week.
“I was a little bit surprised to be substituted. Also, I was a little bit unhappy and I think you could see that I was unhappy. I asked the coach for a reason and he told me that I was tired. Maybe I was a little bit tired. I’ve played a lot of games this season,” said Hazard after the Israel match. The Belgium manager, Marc Wilmots asserted the ex-Lille man was not injured, but just the victim of late-season fatigue.
The Chelsea faithful will hope Hazard can return to form against Stoke at the weekend. While only 6 points up, the Blues have seen a dip in form from key players such as Cesc Fabregas and Oscar. Jose Mourinho will need all of his firepower available in order to remain at the top of the table until the end of the campaign.
After the club season, the overworked players should receive some much needed relaxation. If all goes according to plan this rest period should come after a victory parade in SW6 to celebrate the domestic double, a Premier League Trophy and Capital One Cup title.
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Hazard has appeared in 29 Premier League matches this year totaling 11 goals and 6 assists, according to ESPN FC. These are excellent stats, but the club will need its maestro to give his all over their remaining matches to finish the league on top. With a crucial match against top 4 challenger Manchester United in the near future it is crucial to hit the ground running this weekend against Stoke City.
It would help if the league’s most fouled player, Eden Hazard, received some support from the referees going forward. For a player who never seems to complain about being targeted by opposing defences to the media or to match officials, Hazard is awarded very few penalties. The referees seem to be reluctant to show cards to opposing players for their transgressions as well. Hazard may be tired, but he is a world class footballer.
Blues supporters should not be worried for the run in of remaining fixtures this campaign. Eden Hazard will continue to blaze up the pitch and give his all to bring the Premier League trophy back to West London.
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