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Hazard: I should have had a better World Cup

Eden Hazard's outlook on his development has changed over the past few months © Getty Images

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Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard admitted he "could have done better" for Belgium at this summer's World Cup.

Hazard failed to impress in Brazil and contributed only two assists for his national side during the group stages before disappointing in the knockout stages, most notably in Saturday's quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

"I think I could have done better. In terms of quality, I could have been better," Hazard said. "We all had a big game against the USA, which left us tired. We are still lacking something to reach the last four and that's called experience. I think we'll have that in a few years' time. We have to keep playing like that.

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"The Argentines are used to playing games at the top level, when the tension is highest. They have the experience to make the difference with the smallest details.

"We were given a good lesson: it's up to us to learn from it. I felt that we could have done so much better, but we should hold our heads high."

Hazard's outlook appears to have changed the past few months; in May, he found himself on a collision course with Jose Mourinho when he criticised the Chelsea manager's tactics following their Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid.

In response, Mourinho questioned the midfielder's commitment and issued a stark warning to Hazard - along with Oscar and Andre Schurrle - to shape up or ship out. With the pair seemingly at odds, Hazard was heavily linked with a big-money summer move to Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Hazard appeared to get on-song with his manager shortly after he was named Chelsea's Player of the Season in May, when the 23-year-old admitted he "had to do better" for his club.

And Mourinho recently admitted Hazard can provide "magic moments", as the Portuguese continues his rebuild at Stamford Bridge in order to challenge for a fourth Premier League title.

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