One of the biggest mysteries in a bitterly disappointing season by Chelsea has been the form of Eden Hazard this season. The FWA Footballer of the Year and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year winner was instrumental in Chelsea winning the League Cup and Premier League last season.
But this year Hazard has failed to come close to reaching the heights that he reached last season and his father says the reason for that is because he is suffering from a long-term groin injury, and that Chelsea are forcing him to play through it.
Hazard’s father said that he strained his groin against Crystal Palace on January 3 and he has been struggling with it ever since:
‘The current displays of Eden have been hindered because of injury, an inflammation of the groin, which has troubled him for three or four months,’ he told Le Soir.
‘It’s not serious but the pain, when it comes, is throbbing. It’s like a stabbing feeling.
‘It had already happened earlier in the match (against PSG) before he asked to be replaced.
‘Instead of giving him time to rest and recover properly, they made Eden play, mostly because this was a very important match. He had no choice.’
Hazard is expected to miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Everton this weekend and if Chelsea lose their season is over. I wonder then if they will shut Hazard down for a month or so to let his injury heal?
Hazard has the Euro’s this summer and will not want to head into the tournament carrying an injury, especially when a good tournament could see him leave for PSG or Real Madrid this summer as Chelsea rebuild.