Eden Hazard: Fernando Torres is the most criticised player in the world

Eden Hazard has claimed that Fernando Torres has become the “most criticised player in the world” since the striker’s £50m move to Chelsea.

Torres has failed to find consistent form in front of goal for the Blues following his transfer to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool in 2011 but has still managed to notch up 19 goals in all competitions this season.

And Hazard, who joined Chelsea from Lille last summer, believes the Spanish forward deserves more credit and says he has been impressed by the striker.

“I believe he is the most criticised player in the world. As soon as there is a bad match, it is his fault,” Hazard told French newspaper L’Equipe.

Torres, who netted 81 goals in 142 games for Liverpool between 2007 and 2011, has not scored a Premier League goal for Chelsea in 2013, with his last strike coming against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

But Hazard added: “He has missed opportunities, just like everyone else. He is always here trying. He has always got over blips and scored goals. That is really impressive.

“He is quite a reserved guy. He is in his own bubble.”

Hazard has scored 12 goals and made 17 assists in 54 games for Chelsea this season since his big-money transfer from Ligue 1 last June.