Eden Hazard did not travel with Chelsea to Sunderland, will miss game

Once again the Premier League’s most fouled player, it was only a matter of time before Eden Hazard would have to miss gametime due to a minor knock or two. That time has now unfortunately arrived, as reports of Hazard not traveling with the squad to Sunderland have started making the rounds.

Hazard had received extended treatment about half an hour into Sunday’s match, but was able to see out most of the narrow 1-0 win over West Brom before being withdrawn with ten minutes left. Incidentally, it was Gareth McAuley, the same man off whom Costa won the ball for the goal, to leave Hazard in a heap this time. Through 15 games, Hazard now been fouled no less than 50 times (and these are just the called fouls!).

With Oscar seemingly on his way to China and also not in the traveling squad, Chelsea might be looking at a slightly shorter or effectively smaller bench than normal against Sunderland tonight.