Chelsea FC Thrash Maccabi Tel-Aviv: 4 Key Takeaways
1. Hazard’s Positional Issues
It is becoming quite obvious (to me, at least!) that Eden Hazard has now taken to sulking his way through games and is clearly refusing to put in enough effort, probably in a bid to impose his will on Jose Mourinho. Or could it just be a coincidence that the only games where Hazard has impressed so far this season have been in his much preferred central attacking midfield role?
More from The Pride of London
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea player ratings: Abysmal, reckless, wasteful
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
In comments made after the Premier League game against Norwich, the 24-year old Belgian intimated that he had “advised” the Chelsea boss to play him behind the striker in the number 10 position, attributing his impressive performance in the game down to that positional change. Yet it was his performances playing down the left flank last season that earned him the numerous Player of the Year awards, a point Mourinho alluded to in the pre-match press conference prior to Tuesday’s game.
Hazard had another one of his annoyingly anonymous performances on Tuesday and was rightly replaced in the 67th minute by Pedro (who again failed to hit the target with either one of his two shots at goal) after blatantly refusing to track the run of Eli Dasa. The Maccabi player was released through on goal by a fantastic Gal Alberman pass, but was prevented from scoring by a fantastic reaction save from Asmir Begovic with the Blues just one goal up.
His reluctance to play down the left flank most probably stems from his unwillingness to be saddled with the inherent defensive duties associated with the role as expected by Mourinho, duties which he would not be expected to fulfil playing behind the striker.
While I may be inclined to agree that unshackling Hazard brings out the best in him, I still feel that the good of the team is of paramount importance. So his recent attitude is completely unprofessional and should not be condoned by Mourinho.
This clash of wills between coach and star player could be detrimental to the club if it is allowed to continue. The board need to call Hazard to order if the recent reports of player power prevailing in the Chelsea camp are to be killed once and for all.
Next: ...And Diego Costa