John Barnes believes that Eden Hazard is not to blame for Chelsea’s poor form this season and is fully expecting the Belgian to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer.
Hazard played a key role in helping Chelsea win a Premier League and League Cup double under Jose Mourinho last season and won the PFA player of the year award after a sparkling campaign for the west London outfit.
You don’t have to judge players, you have to judge the team
John Barnes
However, the 25-year-old – like many of his Chelsea team-mates – has struggled to produce consistent performances for the Blues so far this term.
He has failed to score in 19 Premier League appearances and has struggled with groin and hip problems in recent weeks as Chelsea have shown signs of improvement under interim boss Guus Hiddink.
There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the Belgian playmaker’s future in recent days, with Real Madrid reportedly interested in bringing the former Lille attacker to The Bernabeu at the end of the season.
However, former England and Liverpool winger Barnes is expecting Hazard to remain at Chelsea over the summer – and says that his below-par performances this season have been mirrored his team’s displays as a whole.
“Yes, I think he’ll be there [at Chelsea] next year,” Barnes told The Sport Review.
“His form has reflected Chelsea’s form. You don’t have to judge players, you have to judge the team, and if the team’s not playing well certain individuals are not playing well.
“There are few players who can single-handedly carry the team and I don’t think he did that last year when they won the league, so his performances are just a reflection of Chelsea as a whole.”
Hazard has notched up just three assists for Chelsea in all competitions so far this season and is yet to find the net for the Blues.