Chelsea winger Eden Hazard admits that he needs to improve his performances this season.
The Premier League champions have not started the season on a positive note and have collected just four points from their first four league fixtures.
While their early season form played a major role in winning them the league last term, things have not been that easy for them this time around and Hazard admits that things need to improve.
The Blues winger conceded that Chelsea are not at the same level last season and is hoping that their fortunes turn after the international break.
“Individually and collectively, we are not at the same level”, Hazard told L’Equipe.
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“We experienced a difficult month in August. I hope that the international break allows me to regain my level.”
Hazard, who was the Player of the Year in England last season, has not been able to hit his stride so far this term and has come in for criticism from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The Belgian accepts the Chelsea manager’s criticism and conceded he has failed to carry last season’s form into the new campaign.
However, he also feels that Chelsea’s failures this season are a collective problem for the squad and he is confident that they have enough quality to come back from a bad start.
“I accept [his criticism]; it is clear. You don’t need to be a football expert to understand that my level has dropped from last season.
“This is more a collective than an individual problem. We are professionals and we knew that this season was going to be difficult because we are champions.
“It is complicated as everyone wants to beat us but we are staying together and have the qualities to rebound.”
Following the international break, Chelsea will take an away trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton on 12th September.
