Eden Hazard Injury: Updates on Chelsea Star's Hip and Return

2014-15 PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard suffered what appeared to be a hip injury, per the Independent's Simon Rice, during Chelsea's Premier League fixture against Leicester City on Dec. 14. However, he is ready for competitive action.

Read on for updates.

---

Hazard Returns vs. Watford

Saturday, Dec. 26

The Belgian entered with a substitute's appearance against the Hornets.

---

Hazard's Dad Discusses 'Fake' Injury Rumours

Thursday, Dec. 17

"Do you really think that Eden's going to fake an injury in such an important game? You all know him as someone who likes to play. As much as possible. He really was in pain," said Thierry Hazard, the player's father, per Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws.

---

Mourinho Comments on Hazard's Injury

Monday, Dec. 14

“He made the decision to come off," former boss Jose Mourinho told reporters after the defeat to Leicester. "So it must be a serious injury. His first reaction was ‘I can’t continue.’ His second reaction was ‘I want to try,’ but after his first step back on the pitch, he said he couldn’t. He’s injured clearly."

---

Hazard Exits After Clash with Vardy

Monday, Dec. 14

Hazard came off after being knocked down by Leicester striker Jamie Vardy and stayed down to receive treatment before Pedro came in as a substitute.

---

Hazard, Chelsea Have Struggled During Title Defence

The Belgium international was one of the driving forces behind Chelsea's fantastic 2014-15 campaign, but he and the Blues struggled out of the gate this season. With Cesc Fabregas not finding space to work with in midfield and Diego Costa losing his scoring touch, Chelsea suffered a nightmare start to the season and already face a real battle to finish in the top four.

Recently departed boss Mourinho tried everything to get his team firing on all cylinders, even playing Hazard as the main striker at one point. But the Belgian has so far failed to build on his impressive 2014-15 campaign, and this latest setback was the last thing he needed.

Hazard's young career has been relatively injury-free so far apart from a hamstring injury that limited him at the end of the 2013-14 season, but because of his playing style and small stature, he often suffers knocks due to the frequency at which he's tackled.

With the likes of Kenedy, Willian, Pedro and Oscar, the Blues have a number of creative players who can slide in and replace Hazard, although none of them possess his uncanny ability to break matches wide open with a single moment of brilliance.