Tuesday, 23rd October, 2012
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots believes Eden Hazard must still find the correct balance between his attacking and defensive duties in a Red Devils shirt.
Wilmots relegated Hazard to the bench in Belgium’s last match, a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Scotland, but did bring the Chelsea star on at half-time in a clash his team eventually won 2-0; the former Lille star has come in for some criticism for not reproducing his club performances in an Belgium shirt.
The Belgium boss believes that, despite Hazard’s fine form for Champions League winners Chelsea, he still has some learning to do on the international stage and that, furthermore, a spell on the bench will not do the 21-year-old any harm at all.
"He’s only 21 years old", Wilmots told Belgian TV show Tribune.
"We must give him time.
"I will continue to defend him.
relatedNewsStory"He has to find a balance between his defensive duties and his attacking duties."
The Belgium coach also stressed that Hazard is a popular figure within the Red Devils dressing room.
"The entire group likes him a lot. He is a free spirit.
"He’s a real character in the squad.
"And for him it’s not a problem to find himself on the bench."
Hazard was back in form at the weekend, helping Chelsea to record an impressive 4-2 win away at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
