Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Eden Hazard’s below-par showing against Aston Villa was a one off.
Hazard was Chelsea’s startling performer last season and is likely to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge, staving off reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old Belgium playmaker has spoken of his desire to claim the Ballon d’Or and wanted the No 10 shirt at Chelsea, worn by his idol Zinedine Zidane.
Suggested Hazard was below his best in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of Villa, Mourinho said: “Yes. (I) agree.
“I don’t know what he needs. I know he needs to play more than he did (against Villa).
“He started the season well. Eden played good matches with us.
“I think it’s more an isolated not good performance than a period.
“No dramas and (I am) not too much worried about it, but (Saturday) was not his day, was not his performance.”
It is likely Mourinho will give Hazard another chance to return to his high-standard showings against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday in Champions League Group G.
Mourinho also hopes to select Diego Costa for a second match in quick succession in Portugal, but it remains to be seen how the prolific striker recovers, given his fragile hamstrings.
Hazard’s performance was not down to World Cup fatigue, Mourinho believes, but Brazilians Oscar, Willian and Ramires, who is currently out with a groin injury, and World Cup-winner Andre Schurrle of Germany are still finding their feet after a strenuous summer.
“Not one of them arrived and had enough time in the pre-season to start the season in a very strong way,” Mourinho added.
“All of them, they are coming step by step. Now they are getting into the intensity of the game.”
Oscar scored against Bolton and again against Villa, his strike the first before second-half goals from Costa and Willian sealed victory and Chelsea’s place at the top of the Premier League standings.
Oscar believes Costa’s influence is already bearing fruit, with eight goals in six Premier League games, despite not fully training as a result of a niggling hamstring injury.
“The difference between last season and this is that we have Diego and Diego is scoring goals,” Oscar said.
“So many of them. But I know and he knows that he needs to continue to do that.
“Myself I have scored two, but I want to score 15 this season. That would be good.”
Chelsea have been prolific in front of goal, with 19 in six games, but, though usually sound defensively, have kept just two clean sheets.
The first was against Leicester and Mourinho was happy with a second against Villa.
“They didn’t have a shot,” the Portuguese said.
“The game was easy to control. And from minute one everything was under control.”
Villa manager Paul Lambert took the positives amid a run of matches which has seen his side beat Liverpool, lose to Arsenal and Chelsea and which next pits them against Manchester City.
“We are just in a run of games of playing the top ones in succession,” Lambert said.
“You have to keep your confidence intact, especially coming to places like this.
“Going to Anfield and winning up there has given us that breathing space.
“The important thing is if you don’t win you don’t capitulate. I came here and got beaten by eight two years.
“We were a lot more resolute and looked a threat on the counter.”
Belgium striker Christian Benteke could come into contention for the City match after his lengthy absence following his ruptured Achilles tendon.
“I will see how he does this week,” Lambert added.
“You have to remember he has been out for five months. You don’t heap pressure on somebody with that injury.
“He’s one of the best No 9s I’ve seen – even as a player.
“And I played with no slouches – three of the best strikers in the world at one time.”
Those were Borussia Dortmund teammates Karl-Heinz Reidle of Germany and Swiss Stephane Chapuisat, plus Swede Henrik Larsson, whom Lambert played alongside at Celtic.
“If Christian can have the career that those guys had he’ll be doing well for himself,” Lambert added.
“He’s only 23 and has got a long way to go. He’s got a chance if he keeps at it.”
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