Jose Mourinho calls on Eden Hazard to improve level of his displays

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has called on Eden Hazard to raise the level of his performances this season.

The Blues have endured their worst start to a Premier League campaign under the Portuguese in his time at the club following their 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, leaving them eight points behind Manchester City.

Mourinho believes that Hazard - who was voted PFA Player of the Year last season - has to take the initiative to improve his displays and get Chelsea back to their best form.

"If you are the best player in the league, I think it should be a good responsibility to have a similar season than in the previous season," Mourinho told reporters.

"I don't want to analyse individual performances. In general terms, it is difficult to have a consistent performance when some of the players are not performing at a good level.

"When you have six or seven performing and three or four who are not at an acceptable level, it is hard for a team to be consistent in the performance."

Chelsea are 13th in the Premier League after four matches this season.