Gus Hiddink admits ‘concerns’ about Eden Hazard
Hazard was booed as he was substituted with a hip and groin problem during Wednesday night’s Champions League exit to Paris St Germain, when his half-time shirt swap with Angel Di Maria invited the fans’ fury.
The Belgium playmaker’s father Thierry told Belgian newspaper that Hazard has had the injury for up to four months — it first occurred under Jose Mourinho, whom Hiddink replaced in December — but has had to play on.
Hiddink says Hazard is “desperate” to feature in today’s FA Cup quarter-final at Everton.
“His father made a fair judgement. He is not absent of injury,” Hiddink said.
“What is an injury? You can have an injury where you cannot play, or where you can play when you are not fully fit.
“I have my concerns about him as well: whether he should play, when he’s not top, top fit, an hour at full intensity or another part of the game (as a substitute). We’re trying to help him.
“He will be available (against Everton). He’s desperate to participate in a team performance.”
Thierry Hazard told Le Soir his son’s injury is “not serious, but the pain, once it appears, is a stabbing pain”.
He added: “Instead of giving him time to rest and to cure totally, they need Eden to play, especially when it’s a very important match, and then to force him. He doesn’t have any choice.”
Hazard’s condition appears to be perplexing Hiddink, who spoke to Chelsea’s medical staff on Thursday and analysed statistics in the absence of “emotion”. The statistics from training and matches do not point to a problem, the Dutchman says.
Hiddink added: “I try to exclude a lot of emotion in that and see whether his working radius is okay. The intention he is doing in training and in the game, it’s not what you think. You think sometimes ‘oh, he’s not doing enough’.
“That’s not true. We have to find another entrance to get him on this level. Working harder is possible, but not with stupidity. Or maybe one or two days off might help.”
Hiddink discounted an extended leave saying“I like to have (players) near to see what is best.”
Striker Diego Costa is undergoing treatment for a hip problem which forced him off against PSG and is a doubt for the trip to Everton, but captain John Terry will return to contention after a six-match absence with a hamstring problem.
Hiddink said: “He worked rather well the past days. I would like him to travel to Liverpool.”
Many may argue Everton’s season will be as good as over this weekend if they lose — as they have done in three of their last four home games, and in seven home league matches overall this season.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez acknowledged before the West Ham defeat that the Toffees’ results on their own turf have not been good enough.
But he has also spoken in a confident manner about the prospect of his side — who it is expected will be watched from the stands by the club’s new investor Farhad Moshiri — rising to the occasion today.
“The squad has always reacted with bravery and responsibility,” Martinez said.
“We are looking to make sure we embrace being in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.”
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