It has led to Jose Mourinho dropping him in and out of the side this season

Eden Hazard has not scored in his last 18

Gianfranco Zola has backed Eden Hazard to return to his best form after a disappointing start to the campaign at Chelsea.

At the end of last season,Jose Mourinho hailed Hazard as the third best player in the world, but the 24-year-old's form has crumbled, much like Chelsea's hopes of retaining the title.

But Zola says the Belgium international can fight his way through this form, despite being dropped at times by Mourinho.

Hazard has gone from hero to zero at Stamford Bridge after winning PFA Player of the Year last season

Hazard has not scored in 18 appearances for Chelsea, leading to Jose Mourinho dropping him at times

'Hazard is in a similar situation to I was at Chelsea in my second year,' he said.

'The first year was very good, as it was for Hazard, he did so much, received so much recognition and now the spotlight is on him all the time and this is making everything he does a little more difficult.

'Every player goes through this but in a way I think it will be good for him as it will make him think more about his game a bit more.

'So it's an opportunity for him to become a better player. He is young and has the potential to be one of the best.'

Hazard is not the only player to struggle after a stellar campaign at Stamford Bridge, after Zola went on a goal drought of 15 games, during his second season in the Premier League.

But this didn't hold the Italian back after he went on to score 57 league goals at Chelsea before being voted the club's best ever player in 2003.

Hazard's form still remains a mystery to Mourinho, considering the forward has scored in all four games for Belgium this season, but he still cannot open his account after 18 appearances for Chelsea.

In his second season, Gianfranco Zola went 15 games without scoring a goal, after his bright first season