CHELSEA midfielder Eden Hazard is still expected to star for Belgium at the Euros despite bombing in the Premier League.
After helping Chelsea collect the 2014-15 Premier League title, the playmaker was getting compared to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by manager Jose Mourinho.
However, he flopped dramatically as they tried to defend the crown, scoring just four top-flight goals in their final five games when all hope – and Mourinho’s job – was long since lost.
But his mini-resurgence, sparked by a brace in the dead-rubber against Bournemouth on April 23, has reassured Belgium boss Marc Wilmots that the one-time star has not lost his shine.
As Belgium start their training camp ahead of France 2016, Wilmots, who hasnamed the Blues man his captain in the wake of Vincent Kompany’s injury, said: “In terms of the captain’s armband, I think there are people who do it in different ways than I did.
“But Eden is Eden. You become a leader with your feet.
“For me a leader is someone that when the team needs a player to put his foot on the ball, he succeeds in bringing the team with him in order to gain some time and to have personality on the pitch.
“Outside, he doesn’t need a lot. He needs to retain his personality but in his game he’s going to become much more of a leader. Just like Kevin De Bruyne and everyone else.
“Eden is still only 25. Look at everything he’s already done. I think it’s not bad already – whether it’s in France or in England.
Wilmots had a number of strong candidates to take the armband from the crocked Man City centre-back but Hazard won the race.
With his laidback approach the former Ligue 1 star does not fit the bill of the typical English-style captain with rousing speeches and tough tackles.
But his international boss insists his go-to-guy can lead by example and silence his critics with fancy footwork.
He said: “I feel a huge desire in him for the Euros. It shouldn’t be too big a desire – you shouldn’t force things. He needs to remain natural.
“He’s someone who’s very relaxed. He’s an excellent footballer. And all he wants to do is bring joy to his country and to enjoy himself with the national team.
“That’s what I’m expecting. He doesn’t need to be a captain who’s going to shout.
“I spoke about it today – ‘let your feet do the talking.’ It’s better than any speech.”
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