HAZARD STUCK IN LIMBO AS HIDDINK SACRIFICES CREATORS FOR SOLIDITY

The interim Chelsea boss has seen his side go unbeaten after introducing a second defensive midfielder to his starting XI, and on Wednesday the Belgian had to make way.

It is a rule of basic mathematics that five into three won’t go. It is an issue for a manager when his side’s first shot on target only arrives in the 60th minute, and even then it is tame.

The two were connected. Chelsea went to Watford with Eden Hazard situated behind Guus Hiddink in the dugout, not supporting Diego Costa in attack. They lacked inspiration or incision. They produced a stalemate that was testament to the solidity the Dutchman has implemented, but which illustrated the dilemmas he has.

Managing Chelsea brings various difficulties. If the task is often one of managing upwards, to keep Roman Abramovich happy, the Dutch diplomat has to manage downwards. He is in the position where he is bound to disappoint some of Chelsea’s most glamorous and garlanded players. His tactical tweaking has increased the number he has to upset. He took the gamble of leaving out the Footballer of the Year at Vicarage Road. Chelsea linger in limbo, knowing the 69-year-old interim will go in the summer. The more intriguing element is if Hazard will follow.

While transfer talk continues, his short-term move was from the starting XI to the bench. Because Hiddink has too many attacking midfielders and too few spots in the side to keep them all happy. He has plunged the quintet of Cesc Fabregas, Hazard, Oscar, Willian and Pedro into competition for a trio of roles in his 4-2-3-1 formation.

Hiddink has rebranded Fabregas as a No.10 and, with the Spaniard seeming a certain starter, it means one of his flair players is indirectly replaced by the resurgent John Obi Mikel. On Wednesday, that one was Hazard.