Chelsea
boss Jose Mourinho has responded angrily to Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, who
is reported to be keen on Eden Hazard moving to Real Madrid.
Hazard has made an indifferent start to the season and was dropped to the
bench for last week's 2-0 win against Aston Villa, with Mourinho claiming he
was left out to stop "conceding lots of goals" and due to the need for
midfield players "to be concerned with being solid".
The Telegraph reported last week that Wilmots fears his Belgian star could
suffer burn-out at Stamford Bridge and could be worn out for next summer's
European Championship finals. It added that Wilmots believes, privately,
that a move to Real would allow the forward more freedom and a lighter work
schedule.
With Chelsea set for a tricky trip to fourth-placed West Ham on Saturday,
Mourinho would not confirm that Hazard would be recalled to the team and
vented his frustration at the reported comments by the Belgium boss.
"The national team is the national team and the coach is the coach,"
Mourinho said.
"When Hazard is in the national team I don't open my mouth. Ever. But some
people don't have the same ethics and comment when the players are at the
club."
The 24-year-old won several awards for his brilliant displays last season
but has struggled to replicate his form this term.
He did return against Dynamo Kiev in midweek for the 0-0 stalemate in the
Champions League, with Mourinho seemingly more pleased with the efforts of
his star midfielder.
"Hazard played the last match for 90 minutes and was part of the compact
team," the Portuguese coach said.
When asked if Hazard would start at Upton Park, Mourinho replied: "I don't
know. You have lots of people giving an opinion [about Hazard's form this
season], I prefer not to individualise."
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