Eden
Hazard was singled out for praise by Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink after
the Belgium playmaker finally scored his first Stamford Bridge goal of the
season in Sunday's FA Cup defeat of Manchester City.
The 25-year-old was the recipient of individual awards for his stellar
displays in Chelsea's Premier League and Capital One Cup successes last
season.
But he has struggled for form this time around, including in last Tuesday's
Champions League defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.
Hazard, who sent a text message apology to Jose Mourinho after the
Portuguese was sacked in December, showed signs of his best against a
much-changed City and scored Chelsea's fourth in the 5-1 win which set up a
quarter-final with Everton. He also set up two goals.
It was Hazard's second goal of the season. Both have come in the FA Cup
after his penalty in the fourth round at MK Dons on his first start
following a groin injury in early January.
"Eden Hazard came back very strong. That's what I like very much," Hiddink
told Chelsea TV. "He has had setbacks in recent period caused by injuries
and it's not easy to come back.
"He trained well. Bit by bit he got more minutes in the games and it's
rewarded now by his assists and goal. That's good.
"Everyone was focusing on him. Of course we protect him, but we also ask him
what he can do - and he did [show what he can do]."
Hazard revealed on the eve of the PSG contest that it would be difficult to
turn down a move to the Ligue 1 champions, while also reiterating his
contract with Chelsea runs until 2020.
And Hiddink was forced to deny Hazard was agitating for a move away from
Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian's place in Chelsea's starting XI against City might have been in
doubt, but Hiddink named an unchanged line-up and Hazard justified his
faith.
"It's hard to say, 'Hey, I want to rest you', then I get an eyebrow raised,
'I don't want to be rested'. And that's a very good sign," Hiddink added.
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