HAZARD ACTS AS SPUR TO DIAME
NEWCASTLE United midfielder Mohamed Diame is using Eden Hazard as inspiration while he bids to rediscover his best form.
Diame, 29, joined the Magpies from Hull in the summer and has featured more than 30 times this season, helping Newcastle to the Championship summit ahead of yesterday’s clash with Wigan.
But despite being a prominent figure, the Senegal international admits he isn’t entirely happy with his performances on the pitch.
Diame knows that a loss of form can happen to anyone, citing the example of Hazard’s struggles at Chelsea last season, only for the 26-year-old to be setting the Premier League alight again this term.
The Newcastle midfielder is determined to get back to his best as the Magpies hunt an immediate return to English football’s top table.
“This season has been the poorest season of my career,” Diame said. “It’s tough mentally. Sometimes you lose a bit of confidence and you lose confidence about how you can play.
“It’s not easy, but this is football, and it happens sometimes. You just need to keep faith in yourself.
“I can give an example – Eden Hazard. He had a difficult season last season, but he knows he’s a massive player, a good player. This year, he’s back again.”