Frank Lampard says Eden Hazard needs support not scrutiny amid Chelsea slump: 'We forget he's a young boy'   

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Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has called for the pressure to be eased on forward Eden Hazard, as he struggles to produce his best form this season. 

The 24-year-old Belgium international was named PFA Player of the Year last term, but has failed to hit the same heights in the current campaign. 

Lampard, Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer, believes that fans and pundits should remember that Hazard is still young and needs support not scrutiny to get him through a tough spell. 

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard appears as a pundit for Sky Sports on this week's Monday Night Football 

Blues forward Eden Hazard has struggled to find his best form for the club so far this season

Lampard has called for some of the media and fan pressure on the Belgium international to be eased 

The 37-year-old former England midfielder told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show: 'I love Eden Hazard as a player, I was fortunate enough to play with him, his ability is frightening.

'I think we forget he's a young boy, he's come onto the scene these last couple of years, he's never had a moment like this in his career. 

'He's never had to worry. He's generally played very well, last year he was creating all season, and was the difference for Chelsea to a big extent.'

Lampard has also offered his backing to under-pressure manager Jose Mourinho but admitted that the club's dire form must improve immediately. 

The Blues won the Premier League title last season, but have got off their defence off to a nightmare start and are currently 15th in the table having lost six of their opening 11 games.  

Lampard said: 'I think they should stick with him but results certainly need to change now.'

Lampard played for the west London club between 2001 and 2014, before moving to Manchester City and then MLS side New York City.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is under pressure with his side sitting 15th in the Premier League table

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho scores during the 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea forward Kenedy tussles for possession with Reds striker Christian Benteke during the 3-1 defeat

He added: 'Chelsea are a unique club. We all know the structure of the club and there's such a desire to win and a pressure. The owner, the board, the directors have taken decisions to win.' 

Mourinho is in his second spell in charge of Chelsea and previously oversaw a trophy-laden period between 2004 and 2007, including back-to-back league successes.   

Between Mourinho's first spell and his return in 2013, only Carlo Ancelotti lasted longer than a year in the Blues' dugout. 

Such a high turnover of bosses, however, has not translated to a lack of silverware. Roberto di Matteo won both the FA Cup and Champions League in 2012, but was sacked after just eight months at the helm of Stamford Bridge.

Former Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo was sacked despite winning the Champions League and FA Cup

Andre Villas Boas lost the Chelsea job after less than a year in the role during the 2011-12 season 

On Chelsea's many managers, Lampard reflected: 'What has been said over the past two or three years the club wants stability and a longer game. 

'How important is stability? If you're getting results I suppose you're not that concerned. Manchester United was the ideal with Sir Alex Ferguson being there, the great Liverpool managers of the past again was the perfect ideal.

He continued: 'I think it makes sense, you want to see a manager staying and a club successful. You want to see young players coming through to the team.

'That's the intriguing thing at the moment to see if they stick with Jose. He has got the best record Chelsea have had as a manager, he's a proven as a world class manager.'