Guus Hiddink: It’s time for Eden Hazard to shine

The biggest games often call for the greatest players to take centre stage.

In the first leg between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, it was the strike partnership of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani who stole the show as their two goals secured victory at the Parc des Princes.

One man who was not so prevalent that night was a certain Eden Hazard.

All the pre-match talk had been about the Belgian’s future after he confessed it would be “difficult to say no to PSG”. But having being subbed after 70 minutes in the 2-1 defeat, it’s unlikely the French champions would have snapped him up that night had he come knocking on their door.

However, as Chelsea prepare to welcome PSG to Stamford Bridge, Guus Hiddink has called on Hazard to forget that performance and showcase his talent to the whole of Europe.

Never mind Hazard proving his worth to PSG, for Hiddink it is about Hazard proving his worth to Chelsea.

“At that time when he was playing away in Paris, he was in that period just coming back from a rather severe injury time,” said Hiddink.

“We could not ask him to be top, top game fit at that moment. He had two or three actions which you could see — yes, this is Hazard.

“Of course we are now some weeks further into the league and game fitness, and of course tomorrow he can and must show what he is capable of — that is more than in the away game.

“The reason for the substitution was not to go into a danger zone because of the recent comeback at that time from his injury.

“You cannot expect him to be on top of his performance but we are thinking that he can do and deliver in full fitness.”

Hazard turning up and delivering the kind of performance Hiddink knows he can is one thing, but if Chelsea are to progress they will have to find a way to stop PSG’s array of attacking talents.

In the first leg Ibrahimovic showed why there are a number of clubs queuing up for his signature this summer when his contract expires, while the fact Cavani could be called off the bench to score the winning goal demonstrates the depth of quality on offer to Laurent Blanc.

For Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, he has the perhaps unenviable task of stopping an Ibrahimovic who many believe will be out for revenge after his most recent visit to Stamford Bridge was marred by a sending off after 31 minutes when the two sides met at this stage last season.

“First and foremost he is obviously a top player. Obviously one that can be very dangerous on his day,” said Cahill.

“Revenge? I don’t know, obviously for him it was very unfortunate the last time around, but for his team it was positive as they went through.

“We have played PSG now in the last two years. We knocked them out and they have knocked us out, so I think this tie is set up perfectly for the third time round.

“But he [Ibrahimovic] will be vocal on the pitch — he liked the sound of his voice in the first game. But he is a top player and one we have to look out for.” Just as tonight’s tie is perfectly poised in Cahill’s eyes, the same can be said for Chelsea’s season.

Their poor league form means that any chance of silverware is now dependent on success in the Champions League or FA Cup — both of which they take part in this week.

Chelsea’s season could theoretically be over in four days. No pressure then.

“I think certainly it is a big week for us,” admitted Cahill. “We said that last time when we had the first leg and then the Man City game.

“It’s a big week. It’s two huge games for the club. Everyone knows the league situation and it’s a big chance for us to achieve something at the end of the season, although we know it is going to be very difficult.”

As Cahill alluded to, the opportunity is there for Chelsea to salvage a season they started so poorly.

And just as Hiddink urged Hazard too — now is the time for the squad to deliver on the biggest stage. Chelsea captain John Terry will miss tonight’s game with the hamstring problem he sustained in the 5-1 win over Newcastle on February 13.

Terry said: “It’s so frustrating missing any game, but these big Champions League nights at the Bridge are unbelievable and it hurts as a player not to be involved.”

Striker Diego Costa was present after missing last Saturday’s draw with Stoke as a precaution due to a minor tendon problem but trained yesterday and is set to start tonight.

Chelsea probable:

(4-2-3-1) Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Rahman; Mikel, Fabregas; Pedro, Hazard, Willian; Costa.