Last summer saw the long-awaited Premier League arrival of Eden Hazard. The Belgium international, touted as a future star of world football ever since his debut season for former club Lille in 2007, was on the wanted list of just about every major European club following an exceptional campaign in the French top flight, but opted to sign for Chelsea due to their Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich in the 2012 final, as well as some advice from former Blues star Joe Cole, loaned to Lille from Liverpool at the time.

Roman Abramovich forked out £32million for one of Europe's hottest young properties, and the 22 year old immediately began to pay back some of the Chelsea owner's expensive investment last term, finishing up with 13 goals and 25 assists in 62 appearances for all competitions, in what was an incredibly taxing campaign for multiple reasons for the West Londoners.

But it was not enough to overcome the off-pitch dramas at Stamford Bridge that saw the Blues finish up in third place in the Premier League in rather stale fashion, and there is a general feeling from the Chelsea faithful that we are yet to see anything near the Belgium international's best. With a year in West London under his belt to find his feet, can Hazard push on next season, and finally reach the dizzy heights expected of him as a teenager? How can the 22 year old improve his game, or are we expecting too much too soon from an attacking midfielder still learning his trade?

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Jose Mourinho agrees that Hazard could be doing more, and recently told the Daily Mail on the club's pre-season tour of Asia: "I think that the kid has a lot  of talent, as everybody knows. But he has to transform his great  talent into great numbers: how many goals, how many assists, how many  winning goals, how many goals in big matches.

"Football is about numbers in a very pragmatic way. I'm ready to help him and he must be ready, too. He has to listen. I always say to these creative players that, if you have more than the others, you have to do more than the others. If you have this ability, you have to use this ability."

It's quite clear from the Chelsea gaffer's choice of diction that he is mainly concerned with Hazard's output in front of goal. His 16 domestic assists last term trumps his previous season best by one, yet the nine accompanying Premier League goals is quite a long way shy of the 20 goal haul we saw from the 22 year old during his last year in Ligue 1, which in effect secured his long-anticipated big money move to an established continental powerhouse. Mourinho is expected to flip between the Blues' current 4-2-3-1 formation and his traditional Chelsea model of 4-3-3 next campaign, and the Portuguese will want a tally from Hazard that exceeds the 15 mark if he is to hand him a leading role on the left flank, or as the creative force in the No.10 slot at the tip of midfield.

There are other areas of Hazard's game too, regardless of goal tally, that require improving. His defensive contribution is alarmingly non-existent, and will have to improve at least for the bigger fixtures, whilst at times last season, Hazard appeared to lack self-confidence, especially during baron runs, despite his obvious abilities.

The added competition for places should demand more consistency from Hazard in comparison to last season, and push him to impress Mourinho by adding that extra five goals per season to his game. Last term, the Belgium star's form dropped around October, as he went through a spell of just one goal in ten games. But with Florent Malouda unregistered and unwanted, Victor Moses yet to find his end product domestically and Marko Marin absent through injury, there was a lack of pressure on Hazard to up his game, or opportunity to allow him some respite from the limelight and early criticism he received before the turn of the year.

This summer however, the Blues have seeked to proactively bolster their options in attack, after finding themselves surprising short-staffed in key departments due to their hectic schedule that included a wealth of fixtures in seven separate competitions. Now, Hazard will be in direct contest with Andre Schurrle on the left flank, a German international of a similar mould who can be best described as a winger-forward, whilst new signing Marco Van Ginkel and the returning Kevin De Bruyne will be eager to infringe upon the 22 year old's first team role as much as possible, either out wide or in a more central attacking role.

Compared to Schurrle, Van Ginkel and De Bruyne however, Hazard is privy to the luxury of having a year to settle at Stamford Bridge. He's already established a strong understanding with Juan Mata and Oscar, Chelsea's other two leading creative influences, and should begin to reap the benefits of all three putting in around 60 appearances together last season.

At the same time, fellow countryman Romelu Lukaku returns to West London this summer after a strong campaign on loan to West Brom, finding 17 goals in 35 Premier League appearances, and the Belgian duo are said to be close friends off the pitch. If they can use their relationship to their advantage, it could provide Hazard with added assists next year should he form a steady supply line to the 6 foot 3 forward, and Lukaku too can put his powerful frame to good use by holding the ball up around the box for Hazard to exploit, in a similar fashion we've seen from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard throughout the years.

The change in management at Stamford Bridge too, will play a pivotal role in Hazard's progression. Mourinho will be particularly keen to improve the 22 year old's rather lapse defensive contribution; the Blues' biggest weakness last season was undoubtedly their inability to hold shape and defend as a unit off the ball.

Similarly, the Portuguese will seek to reinstall that intense winning mentality that saw Chelsea claim two Premier League titles throughout his first spell in West London, and whilst Frank Lampard and John Terry are living proof of the Special One's psychological abilities, Hazard, along with Mata, David Luiz and many more of the Blues' young cast, are yet to reap the benefits of such a talented manager who always seems to get the best out of individuals yet to fully prove themselves, be it in terms of silverware or reputation.

To suggest it's been a lukewarm season from Eden Hazard would be incredibly unfair; there aren't too many players in Europe who could finish up with nine goals and 16 assists from their inaugural campaign in the Premier League - the toughest top flight the continent has to offer. But I share the feeling that the £32million signing is yet to reach the pinnacle of his powers, or fully live up to the hype that preceded his arrival in West London.

With Chelsea gunning for the title next season however, and now with Jose Mourinho back in the driving seat, I anticipate that this will be the year Hazard finally realises his full potential. He's settled comfortably in West London, he's part of a competitive and hungry squad, and the Special One will do everything he can to push the Belgian to his limits. Expect big things from Hazard next year, and he could well fill the void in the Premier League that Gareth Bale looks set to leave behind as he seeks an exit route to Spain.

Is it time for Eden Hazard to step up at Chelsea?

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