Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has suggested that the Blues won’t win anything next season if Eden Hazard doesn’t return to his best form.
Hazard endured a miserable 2015/16 campaign, with the winger scoring just four goals in the Premier League as Chelsea finished in mid-table.
Indeed, Hazard – who earns a reported £200,000-per-week – went 37 games across the Premier League and Champions League without netting.
That was a far cry from the previous season when the Belgian was crowned the PFA Player of the Year as the Blues won the title at a canter.
World Cup winner Leboeuf told Goal: “First they need some leaders and the first guy I think about is Eden Hazard.
“They need those guys to get back to their best if they want to be successful again.
“Buying other players when you know you have Hazard and if Hazard doesn’t go back to his best Chelsea are not going to win anything.”
Hazard appeared devoid of confidence at times in 2015/16, with the winger often struggling to get the better ofdefenders despite his sublime technical ability.
The 25-year-old will hope to be able to return to his best form next season under the guidance of incoming manager Antonio Conte.
Hazard was able to witness Conte’s methods at close quarters on Monday evening as Belgium were beaten 2-0 by Italy in their first fixture of Euro 2016.
Chelsea will surely have to make some stellar acquisitions this summer if they are to stand a chance of winning the Premier League title next season. The club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, may be wise to avoid the mistakes made last summer, when the Blues failed to bring in reinforcements and suffered as a consequence.
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