Jose Mourinho has said repeatedly that he thinks Eden Hazard has been targeted by opponents this season – and, sure enough, he was fouled four times in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton, more than any other Chelsea player. That follows a pattern that has seen the Belgian fouled more than any other player in the Premier League this season – 2.9 times per game – which at first sight seems to back up his manager’s point.
But could it be that Hazard is fouled more than other players because of the way Chelsea play? Perhaps because he is the conduit through which much of their creativity flows, he simply draws more fouls that others. And wouldn’t it make sense that players who dribble the most are fouled the most?
