Mourinho has harsh words for Hazard after semi loss

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho accused his midfielder Eden Hazard on Friday of "not sacrificing himself 100 percent" for his teammates, two days after the team's 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 criticized Mourinho's tactics in its 3-1 semifinal second-leg loss to Atletico at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The Belgian international, the PFA's Young Player of the season, told a French TV that Chelsea "was not made to play football".

Mourinho, speaking to reporters before Chelsea meets Norwich City in its penultimate Premier League match of the season on Sunday, responded by seemingly questioning Hazard's commitment.

"The media was reporting 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 leftback 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."

Hazard, linked with a move to Paris St. Germain, returned to the side on Wednesday after missing four matches due to a calf injury and did not have his usual impact.

"Chelsea is not made to play football; we are good on the counter attack, a bit like Real Madrid against Bayern Munich," Hazard said after the match.

"Often, I am asked to do it all by myself and it's not easy."

Mourinho also repeated his long-held belief that even though Chelsea is only two points behind leader Liverpool with two matches to play, it is unlikely to win the title.

Liverpool has 80 points, Chelsea 78 and Manchester City, which has three matches left, is at 77 with a better goal difference and will almost certainly be champion if it collects all nine points.

Mourinho reflected on Chelsea's campaign, which now looks likely to end without a trophy.

"I don't think it's been a bad season," he said.

"It is a transitional season and to arrive where we have arrived is very good.

"Normally you compare to the season before and if you do that, Chelsea lost the title in November and when Manchester United won the title, Chelsea was something like 20 points behind.

"In the Champions League Chelsea was the first team knocked out in the group stage after being champions. It was a big step (this season) being able to fight for the title and the Champions League.

"The players come back like they have to. Obviously not champions, but the feeling is that they had a good campaign.

Chelsea has the best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded only 28 goals all season and faces Norwich, which is 18th and has only scored 26 times, tied for lowest in the league.

The Owls look likely to go down after three seasons in the top flight but Mourinho will not be taking them lightly.

"They will be fighting for their lives and we respect them," he said.

"It will not be easy but we have to finish with two wins against them and Cardiff in the last match. Two teams fighting for their lives.

"Imagine if we are not champions if we don't win these two matches against two teams desperate for the points against us. That would not be a good feeling for the players."

(China Daily 05/04/2014 page12)