Guus Hiddink insists no Chelsea player can complain about not being on the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year awards, and admitted he has been at a loss over Eden Hazard’s failure to defend the trophy he won last year.
Chelsea’s miserable defence of the Premier League title they won last year has been reflected in that no-one has made the six-man list for the PFA Award or the Young Player of the Year honour.
Hazard won the main award last term, but has not even scored in the Premier League this term and has been struggling with a hip and groin problem since December.
His team-mates have fared little better as they have lost 10 league games to slump to mid-table, with only Willian catching the eye at times.
Hiddink said: “If you ask them, I hope no-one will say ‘why am I not in that list?’. I hope they are self-critical and not apply for a position on that list.”
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Hazard has returned to training after missing five weeks with an injury that has actually troubled him for four months.
It is in stark contrast to this time last term, when he was being heralded as the star player in the top fight.
Hiddink added: “It’s been a long period of absence and was a bit alarming. Now he is coming back into the practice sessions two or three times this week.
“But he must also now start performing as well. It’s difficult when one has been Player of the Year and then have this drastic fall of form, but it’s also due to injuries. It’s a complex situation going into injury and not being on top form – it must be alarming for yourself.
“It was breaking my head also what could I do to get him back on track. I didn’t think for a moment (on taking over in December) I could get him back to win the Player of the Year – that would have been too difficult. But I think he fell too much into injuries and had difficulties to come back.”
Hazard is unlikely to start against Manchester City, but are set to welcome back Nemanja Matic, Gary Cahill and Willian after minor injuries.
Striker Diego Costa is also available again after a three -ame ban.
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Hiddink said: “When you’re out for that long period, there is a tendency to take a break, but he (Costa) didn’t. He worked very hard and when we went on the road, he worked here in Cobham on his own. He is very ambitious and eager to play.”
