Eden Hazard returned to Chelsea’s starting line-up for Sunday’s goalless Premier League draw at West Ham.
Hazard, who had been excused the Europa League trip to PAOK in Greece in midweek, endured a frustrating afternoon at the London Stadium.
After a hat-trick against Cardiff, Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri revealed he told Hazard he could score 40 goals this season, if he focused on expending his energy in the final third. That is contrary to what was asked under Sarri’s predecessors Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. The Belgian must shoot more to achieve that target. He shot straight at Lukasz Fabianski in the first half with his only shot until stoppage time, when he fired at the Pole once again.
Hazard did not travel to Greece for Chelsea’s Europa League assignment after twice telling Sarri he was tired, despite being eased into club action after his summer exertions at the World Cup. The benefits of rest were barely obvious at the London Stadium. Hazard struggled to engineer a route through or around the Hammers defence, although he was not the only one.
West Ham felt unnerved whenever Hazard was in possession. In the first half he danced through at the edge of the Hammers area and went down under pressure from Declan Rice, only for referee Mike Dean to wave away pleas for a free-kick. In the second he injected pace only on occasion and the Hammers dealt with the danger.
Hazard was fielded alongside Olivier Giroud. Hazard described Giroud as the best target man in the world and the pair have developed a fine understanding. But the France World Cup winner disappointed here. Alvaro Morata came on for Giroud and a Hazard flick to the striker went unrewarded.
This post was last modified on 24/09/2018