Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho accused his midfielder Eden Hazard on Friday of “not sacrificing himself 100 per cent” for his teammates, two days after their Champions League semifinal exit.
Hazard, 23, Chelsea’s principal playmaker following the sale of Juan Mata to Manchester United, appeared to risk his coach’s wrath when he criticised Mourinho’s tactics in their 3-1 semifinal second leg defeat by Atletico at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
The Belgian international, the PFA’s Young Player of the season, told French TV station beIN SPORTS that Chelsea “were not made to play football.”
Mourinho, speaking to reporters before Chelsea meet Norwich City in their penultimate Premier League match of the season on Sunday, responded by seemingly questioning Hazard’s commitment.
“The media was reporting that he was being critical, but there was nothing critical in what he says,” Mourinho said.
“But Eden is a player who is not mentally ready to look back to his left back and leave his life for him.
“When the comments come from a player like Eden, it’s normal because he is not a player ready to sacrifice himself 100 per cent for the team and his teammates.
“The comments were not critical but I am not happy. I speak to him all season and I try to improve him all season.”
Source: Supersport