Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Chelsea news: Gordon Strachan reveals major Eden Hazard problem
CHELSEA have become too reliant on midfield maestro Eden Hazard says Gordon Strachan.
The 28-year-old has been an integral player for the Blues over the last seven seasons.
Since signing from Lille in 2012 he’s racked up 331 appearances for the club and scored 104 goals.
Strachan - who left his post as Scotland boss in 2017 - has warned the west Londoners that they are overly dependent on Hazard.
He told The Debate: “Do you think they're too reliant on him?
I think they’re so reliant on him
“When I watch them now, it's like the rest of the team are a backing for Hazard and they play his way.
“There’s a level where you go below and you’re playing against a lot of worse players than you.
“You can’t keep that kind of exciting level all the time.
“In this country it really is hard work every week in terms of playing against teams.
“When I watch Chelsea just now, I think, it’s like even the real good players are like, ‘I’ve got the ball, where is he?’
“It’s an unofficial movement but they go through him.
“I think they’re so reliant on him that it might be they get that money then you can make a more rounded team rather than they just seem to be waiting on Hazard picking up the ball.
“And by the way as a supporter you love it watching it. You love it watching it.
”But I just think they’re so reliant on this one player.”
In a wide-ranging interview with The Times, Hazard admitted that he’s frustrated successive Chelsea managers.
The Belgium international explained that all bosses want to see him on the score sheet.
Hazard, however, prefers to be the creative spark in Chelsea’s side.
When asked if it would be preferable to have a selfish streak, Hazard told The Times: “Yes.
”But I'm not at all selfish. The way I am can be a weakness to be the best player in the world.
“Managers like [Jose] Mourinho, [Antonio] Conte, now with [Maurizio] Sarri want me to score 40, 50 goals a season but can I do that? I'm not sure.
“Maybe they think I can, but I know myself and I don't think I can. But I will try.
"I like to be 'the star' but I like also when I can pass the ball to another for him to score, and it is not just about me.
“It's about everyone. My target is to help the team to win something."