Jose Mourinho: Eden Hazard Dropped Due To Workrate
Eden Hazard was left out in favour of better defensive players.
Chelsea FC returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Aston Villa 2-0 at home. Having achieved just eight points in their opening eight Premier League games, the Blues were in dire need of a victory to kick off this next period of domestic football.
With Branislav Ivanovic injured, changes were expected in the back line. Abdul Baba Rahman came in to deputise as Cesar Azpilicueta switched flanks. Up front, though, Jose Mourinho took the bold decision to drop Eden Hazard to the surprise of many.
Hazard has not been at the top of his game, but the reigning PFA Player of the Year would nonetheless be expected to start for the Blues. This is especially valid on the back of an international break from which the player may be refreshed.
However, Mourinho has cited the Belgian’s questionable workrate as a reason for his omission.
"I left out Hazard because we are conceding lots of goals. We need to defend better…Willian and Pedro did amazing defensive work and allowed the midfield players to be very comfortable. I continue that way, or he comes in our direction and tries to replicate the same work that Willian and Pedro did."
The Chelsea boss is certainly not beating around the bush here. Mourinho has always been a critic of Hazard’s defensive efforts and it is well-known that the Portuguese tactician expects all of his players to put in a shift at the back.
In fact, many people cite Hazard’s tracking back last season as proof of Mourinho’s managerial genius.
Unfortunately, it is quite hard to argue with his decision. Had the winger been offering something in attack, then some leeway could be afforded. Hazard has frankly been poor going forward and thus his lack of defensive work is not compensated for.
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Furthermore, it was not as if Chelsea missed the winger as they comfortably beat Tim Sherwood’s men. The Blues may have been facing an unquestionably mediocre Villa team, but any sort of win would do. The keeping of a clean sheet is also reassuring and is exactly what Mourinho wanted after dropping his star player.
Having conceded a whopping 17 Premier League games prior to this weekend’s fixture, Chelsea’s defensive frailties were at the fore of their abysmal form.
Mourinho’s comments are evidently an attempt to spark the winger into life and it will be interesting to see how Hazard reacts. Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has previously spoken about his terrible performances but Hazard failed to prove him wrong. With the staunch criticism now coming from his immediate boss, perhaps the Belgian will take these comments more seriously.
Chelsea fans can only hope.
All quotes taken from Sky Sports.
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