EPL: Eden Hazard fires a critical shot at Mourinho tactics
mistake had proved very costly in Chelsea
Champions League elimination but he had
no problem with the Belgium playmaker's
comments following the midweek exit to
Atletico Madrid.
Hazard's failure to track back allowed
Atletico to equalise in Wednesday's
Champions League semi-final second leg
and the Belgian later said the Blues are set
up to counter-attack, not to take the
initiative in games.
The comments were interpreted as a slight
on Mourinho's tactics, which have been
criticised of late, and came from a player
linked with Paris St Germain this summer.
"I listened to the interview," said Mourinho,
whose side lost 3-1 to Atletico and play
Norwich in the Premier League on Sunday.
"There was nothing critical in what he
said. When the comments come from a
player like Eden it's normal because he's
not the kind of player to sacrifice himself
for the team.
"Normally you get these kind of comments
from players like him, from players that
can't resolve a problem like we had in the
first goal.
"Eden is the kind of player that is not so
mentally ready to look back to his left-
back and to leave his life for him.
"If you see the first goal of Atletico you
completely understand where the mistake
was and why we conceded that goal.
"The perfect team at the top level cannot
make these kinds of mistakes."
Mourinho has now turned his attention to
the Premier League and the club's outside
chance of snatching the Premier League
title from under the noses of Manchester
City and Liverpool.
Mourinho's men host Norwich City on
Sunday before travelling to Cardiff seven
days later and he said: "The only thing we
can do is win both our matches. We play
against two teams who desperately need
the three points.
"At this moment City have three matches to
win to be champions but you never know.
"It's because of matches like Villa and
Sunderland that we're not in a better
position. It's not been a bad season, it's
been a transitional season, and to arrive
where we have is very good."
Mourinho insisted the season was a good
stepping stone to success and added: "To
fight for the title until the end is very good
and to reach the Champions League semi-
final is a good step.
"Chelsea will be quiet and calm during the
transfer window, we will make a couple of
critical signings."
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