Following Chelsea’s defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, Belgian winger Eden Hazard criticized the Blues’ direct style and complained to the French media.
On Friday in his weekly press conference Jose Mourinho was asked what he thought about Hazard’s comments and the Chelsea boss didn’t pull any punches.
Hazard was at fault for two of Atletico’s goals in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, as the Belgian boy-wonder failed to track right back Juanfran on two occasions and the Blues were punished.
Mourinho accused Hazard of not respecting his teammates, as the recently crowned PFA Young Player of the Year has certainly antagonized Mourinho with his display after just returning from injury.
Wow.
It seems as though Hazard’s mentality is being questioned, big time, from a manager who is all about fostering a team-first ethos. Hazard has been sensational this season going forward, scoring 17 goals in 47 appearances, but the youngster still has a lot to learn defensively. After enduring a stop-start first season in West London under Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benitez, Mourinho has got the best out of the 23-year-old this campaign.
As we know, Mourinho is all about mind games and these latest comments may act to give Hazard a kick up the backside. However it could also spell the end of his time at Stamford Bridge as the Special One doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
Expect transfer speculation surrounding Hazard’s future to follow these incredible remarks from Mourinho.