Chelsea: Eden Hazard has to play his way out of trouble (or out of London)

Eden Hazard is following in the finest traditions of Chelsea FC by venting his frustrations with the manager to the nearest microphone. But only his play can save him now, whether he simply wants to leave the doghouse or leave London entirely.

One can only imagine the text messages going back and forth between Diego Costa and Eden Hazard this week. “I don’t want to say I told you so, Eden, but laugh-cry face emoji.” Hazard repeated his objections to playing as the false-nine after Chelsea’s loss to Manchester City. Like he did after the draw to Barcelona, Hazard lamented the few opportunities he had on the ball and how the false-nine does not play to his strengths.

Set aside the issue of Chelsea once again going down the predictable road of players publicly criticzing the manager. Eden Hazard would have much more credibility on the issue if he was not so visibly apathetic against Manchester City. His recent performances and his comments have backed him into a corner both with Chelsea and his hopeful suitors. He has to play himself out of trouble now if he hopes to sign a new contract with Chelsea or follow his supposed dream to Real Madrid.

A gif doing the rounds summed up many fans’ perception of Chelsea’s outing at the Etihad. Manchester City players passed the ball back and forth, as bored as anyone else, while the nearest Blues stood rigidly in their line of four across. Eden Hazard walked around at the top of the 5-4-1. None of the wingers or midfielders attempted to press, close or even shout at the City players. Hazard made no effort to approach, let alone close down, surprise, poach or set up a momentary overload on the ball-handlers.

If anyone at Real Madrid watched either game, they will be re-evaluating their interest in Hazard. Real will want nothing to do with a player who shuts down in big games. They certainly will not want a player who shuts down in big games against Barcelona.

They also will not want a player who responds so poorly and so transparently to pressure and criticism. The worst that Chelsea fans and media can throw at Eden Hazard is kinder than the average day at Real Madrid.

Eden Hazard needs to reverse his performances and his attitude immediately if he has a serious eye on next season. If he stays at Chelsea, he will want (require? demand?) a new contract. Until recently, he had every right to break the club record for wages. Now, he has little leverage as a publicly discontented under-performing star.

Staying another year at Chelsea on his current terms could be the most equitable option. But that would be a massive step back for him after all the chatter of his renegotiations throughout the year. He would also have to re-endear himself to the fans and re-prove himself to the manager, whether that is Antonio Conte or someone else. If he comes alive under a new manager, though, he will only underscore his reputation as someone who turns on the effort at his own discretion and comfort, rather than as a professional playing for the club, team and coach.

But if Hazard wants to leave, he needs to prove he is Real Madrid material. He must show he is a galactico in mind, body and performance. If he wants to know what happens to players who are just off the cusp at Real, he can talk to Alvaro Morata. On the one hand, Hazard could thrive at Real because he would not be the megastar carrying so much pressure. On the other hand, every carries the pressure at Real. Playing a supporting role at the Bernabeu does not relieve you of everything that goes along with being there.

Next: Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace will come down to whoever is more desperate

Whatever his plans, Eden Hazard needs to wake up to the gap between his current performances, his supposed ambitions (Ballon d’Or, remember that?), and his club and contract desires. He has three competitions to turn this recent trend around, and at least leave Chelsea on a high note if not recognize that his best chance for immortality remains at Stamford Bridge.