Eden Hazard flourishes in a central role for Chelsea after persuading Jose Mourinho to give him the freedom at No 10

  • Eden Hazard reveals a chat with Jose Mourinho has turned his form around
  • Belgian given freedom of a playmaker in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Norwich
  • Last year's Footballer of the Year admits form has dipped this season 

By Matt Barlow for the Daily Mail

Published: 17:31 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 04:39 EST, 23 November 2015

Eden Hazard has revealed how he unlocked his best form of the season after persuading Jose Mourinho to give him the freedom of a playmaker in the No 10 position.

Hazard admits his performances have dipped since he was voted Footballer of the Year.

His vanishing act had been one of the mysteries of Chelsea’s dreadful start to their title defence but he was energetic and creative in the 1-0 win against Norwich on Saturday.

Eden Hazard operated centrally behind Diego Costa in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Norwich on Saturday

Eden Hazard operated centrally behind Diego Costa in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Norwich on Saturday

He operated centrally, in the role he covets, behind Diego Costa who scored the only goal, having urged Mourinho to release him from the left-wing during a head-to-head meeting before last month’s Capital One Cup tie in Stoke.

‘We spoke before the Stoke game,” said Hazard. 

‘I said to him: “Maybe we have to try something, to change sometimes. Maybe I have to play No 10, because we have to try”.

Hazard admits that he has struggled for form this season after winning Footballer of the Year last year

Hazard admits that he has struggled for form this season after winning Footballer of the Year last year

‘We did and I played a good game in the Cup in Stoke, and this was the same, against Norwich.

‘I like playing No 10. When I was young I played there. Sometimes there is more freedom, sometimes not. 

'Against compact teams, it’s difficult to find space but we have good players and they’re able to pass and move.

‘I don’t know if I have to play every game as a No 10. I just want to play. I will play as a left winger, too. I just want to be on the pitch. It doesn’t matter if that’s in the middle or on the flanks.’

The 24-year-old revealed that he revels a central role behind the striker as it can give him more freedom

The 24-year-old revealed that he revels a central role behind the striker as it can give him more freedom

When Chelsea lost on penalties that day in Stoke, it was Hazard who missed the decisive spot-kick.

Ten days earlier, he had been dropped against Aston Villa and Mourinho had criticised his defensive reliability. The relationship seemed to be deteriorating between the manager and star-player.

Real Madrid have a long-standing interest in the Belgian, who was embroiled in the Eva Carneiro episode, which erupted after the doctor ran on to treat him near the end of the opening game of the season.

The Belgian midfielder revealed that a chat with Jose Mourinho after Stoke Cup defeat led to change in position

The Belgian midfielder revealed that a chat with Jose Mourinho after Stoke Cup defeat led to change in position

Hazard, however, denies there is any friction. ‘I don't have a problem with him,’ he said. ‘I heard a lot of things about this, but no. Everything is good with him.

‘He’s the best manager. He’s the best manager for Chelsea, and we hope we can win a lot of trophies together. Maybe not this season because it will be difficult, but next season and on.

‘I hope this result is the start of the recovery. The score could have been better but sometimes 1-0 is enough. We played well and deserved the win. 

'We want to keep it going like this and finish, in the end, in the top four.’

With a third of the campaign gone, Chelsea are 12 points adrift of Arsenal in fourth and need Hazard in the groove if they are to close the gap.

Hazard denied there is any friction between him and Mourinho insisting he is the best manager in the world

Hazard denied there is any friction between him and Mourinho insisting he is the best manager in the world

‘I didn’t start the season well, I know that,’ said the 24-year-old Belgian, who is still waiting for his first goal of the season for his club. 

‘I tried to find out why but I don’t know.

‘It’s my fourth season and we won a lot of trophies last season. I won a lot, too. Maybe the attention is more, but I have to play with this responsibility. I try to be the best every time.

‘You just have to keep going, waiting for better results and performances.

Diego Costa's second-half goal helped Chelsea register only their fourth Premier League win of the season

Diego Costa's second-half goal helped Chelsea register only their fourth Premier League win of the season

‘I gave everything in training and on the pitch when I played. I hope I can get a lot more form and help the team.’

Alex Neil thought his team deserved a penalty for a push by Willian on Robbie Brady at Stamford Bridge, when the game was goalless, and he stood firm when Mourinho, back on the touchline after his one-match stadium ban, claimed to the fourth official that the Norwich boss was overdoing it.

‘I’m there fighting for my team,’ said Neil. ‘I want decisions to go my way. They have a difficult job, but the bottom-line is that if you don’t remonstrate, don’t ask for decisions and don’t appeal, ultimately, you won’t get them. Simple as that.

Norwich boss Alex Neil thought his team should have had a penalty during the Stamford Bridge defeat

Norwich boss Alex Neil thought his team should have had a penalty during the Stamford Bridge defeat

‘Everybody apart from those in a wee corner are shouting at the referee, putting him under pressure, and he has a high-profile manager like Jose shouting in the fourth official’s ear.

‘The referee is only human, so it’s going to have some effect, somewhere along the way.

‘It would be interesting if Jose managed one of the bottom teams what his stance would be. It’s very different, I can assure you.’ 

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