Hazard part of ‘long-term plan’ at Chelsea – Emenalo

Experiencing a dip in form will help Eden Hazard become a better all-round player, according to Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo.

Blues star Hazard has not been at his best for much of the season and there has been speculation that he could be sold.

But Emenalo told Chelsea’s website that Hazard is very much part of the club’s plans.

“As part of the policy from four years ago, this is a long-term plan,” Emenalo said.

“Eden Hazard came at the age of 21, Oscar came at 20, Ramires came at a young age – 23 – and they are growing now and understand what it means to play at Chelsea Football Club.

“Eden has never really been under pressure before in his career but he will get past this and he will become a Chelsea player who knows how to deal with pressure, knowing that the club has to win and it has to win playing well.

“It is a deliberate policy to sign on long contracts these players who are going to help us grow.”

Manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that he will not look to make major changes to the squad when the transfer window reopens in January, despite Chelsea having endured a miserable season so far.

And Emenalo, who has been at Stamford Bridge for eight years, said: “You can’t go to the market every transfer window to try to solve all your problems. It might actually destabilise the squad.

“The first thing we need to do is to continue to believe and have the confidence that we have enough to get the job done, but we are a big club and we are always on the lookout and if there is something interesting that can make us better, we will address it.”