Chelsea boss Hiddink backs Hazard

Guus Hiddink predicted Eden Hazard will get “better and better” following Chelsea’s Champions League loss to Paris St-Germain.

Hazard, recently sidelined by a groin injury, was included in the starting line-up for the first leg of the last-16 tie, which the hosts won 2-1 to establish a slender lead ahead of next month’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian, whose performances this season have attracted criticism, again looked short of his best.

He was taken off by Hiddink midway through the second half, but the Blues boss said: “He was a threat going forward. He had some good runs.

“This was a game with a high intensity and after 65 or 70 minutes it was enough. He will be better and better.”

With Kurt Zouma and skipper John Terry out injured, Hiddink reshuffled his defence, switching Branislav Ivanovic to centre-half alongside Gary Cahill, with Cesar Azpilicueta moving across to right-back and Baba Rahman coming in at left-back.

Chelsea defended well when under pressure for large spells of the match – and John Mikel Obi’s first-half equaliser could prove to be a crucial away goal.

“The players did well, and not just the four defenders,” Hiddink said. “We also had midfielders who did good defensive work.

“We had to reshuffle. Two weeks ago we played with Zouma and Terry, meaning the full-backs also had different positions. I’m happy with all their performances.”