Eden Hazard has been playing through injury the last few games, somewhat explaining his inconsistent form. David Luiz is Chelsea’s other starter fighting through the pain to see out this season.
Eden Hazard’s inconsistent and tentative play over the last few matches was a worrying sight. He was a non-factor against Liverpool. He did not get on the end of passes from Marcos Alonso nor create opportunities with his fellow forwards. Hazard looked like he was doing his disappearing act at the most inopportune time of the season.
His hesitation and lack of confidence is at least partially rooted in a lingering injury from Chelsea’s 14 January fixture with Leicester. Hazard had played the full 90 in seven of the previous nine matches. He came off in the 79th minute against Leicester, and just after the 70 minute mark against Hull and Liverpool.
At the other end of the pitch, David Luiz is still recovering from Sergio Aguero’s flying kick to the inside of his knee. That incident was two months ago today, and Luiz still wore heavy strapping on his knee against Liverpool.
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He has not missed any Premier League minutes due to injury, but Conte rested him for both FA Cup ties. After scoring against Liverpool Luiz noted that he is not able to train every day and is still rehabbing the knee.
Antonio Conte’s top priority is clinching the Premier League title as soon as possible. That ambition requires him to play his best XI if they are available. However, Conte has sufficient depth and tactical flexibility that neither Hazard nor Luiz should be pushed beyond their limits to stay on the pitch.
Proper recovery is particularly important for Eden Hazard. His performance is inextricably tied to his confidence and momentum. A few sub-standard games due to injury can result in a run of sub-standard games as he begins to doubt himself.
Hazard is at his best when he is Chelsea’s happy warrior, running at and through opposing defences with a wry grin and unabashed enjoyment. He does not thrive off of pain and grit. Even though he is willing to play through those situations, they do not set him up for a run of success.
Pedro and Willian have proven repeatedly that they can flank Diego Costa to lead Chelsea’s line. This combination is not as potent as Pedro and Hazard, but is sufficient for Chelsea’s opponents post-Arsenal.**
On defence, Nathan Ake is more than capable of giving David Luiz an off day. Gary Cahill can replace Luiz in the centre of the back line, opening up the left centre-back slot for Ake.
This could be a psychologically difficult move for Cahill. Cahill knows that he faces stiff competition with Nathan Ake at left centre-back. Shifting to the centre in place of Luiz gives Ake the perfect opportunity to show what he can do at Cahill’s current position. Once Luiz recovers, then, Conte may choose to restore Luiz to the lineup and maintain Ake at Cahill’s expense.
Chelsea have an easy run of opponents and an FA Cup tie in the weeks following the clash with Arsenal. Those games present opportunities for Conte to rest his stars and ensure they are fully prepared for the final run-in towards the Premier League crown.
Next: Chelsea backing Antonio Conte for an ambitious summer transfer window
**Of course, Chelsea could always playr a 3-5-2 with Michy Batshuayi alongside Diego Costa. But why go on flights of fancy?