Guus Hiddink: Eden Hazard must ‘play like a kid’

Guus Hiddink will be intrigued to see Eden Hazard’s reaction to a “dark” season at Chelsea after urging the Belgian to “play like a kid”.

Hazard won a host of individual awards last season as Chelsea lifted the title but he and the Blues have had a chastening campaign. Reports have suggested the Belgian star is agitating for a move, with Real Madrid and Paris St Germain interested.

But it is difficult to see Chelsea approving a transfer for a player whose value has plummeted and has four years left on his current contract.

Hiddink says it is unfair to label Hazard disinterested due to his on-field performances, which have contrasted starkly with last season, and will be interested to watch the 25-year-old’s development.

“The next period will be very interesting for him,” Hiddink said. “Last year everything was beautiful and this year everything is, for him, dark. The contrast is huge.

“We must not dramatise too much. Try to play like a kid. Try to think in the moment.”

Hazard will miss today’s clash with Manchester City due to a hip/groin problem but striker Diego Costa is available following his threegame suspension.