Eden Hazard, has perhaps cooled down all transfer speculation linking him with a move away from Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, that is according to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho, has been developed a keen liking towards the robust Belgian midfielder and defended him against Tottenham Hotspur, claiming that the referees and players were too harsh on Hazard. Although, Hazard has played coy with his contract situation at Chelsea, Mourinho believes that the Belgian’s future lies at Stamford Bridge.
“I think he loves it here. I think so,” Mourinho said. “I think, I hope (he will stay).”
Mourinho, bemoaned fouls committed on his sprightly midfielder and said that the league will not witness classic Hazard, if referees do not protect him.
“The first free-kick of every game is somebody kicking him,” Mourinho said. “He has fouls and fouls and fouls. I don’t see many yellow cards.
“Sometimes a yellow card is a consequence of violent conduct, but I also think that accumulation of small fouls is also violent conduct.
“The kid is suffering the consequences of that, but playing amazingly well.
Against Tottenham, Hazard was Mourinho’s fulcrum in attack and was perhaps the best Chelsea player out there. Hazard, was also in the thick of controversy as he was hauled by last man Fazio, only for the referee to wave play on.
“(Against Tottenham) he was amazing. Even in the second half, with a difficult result to face, and to have the determination to keep believing till the end. He was fantastic.”
Although Mourinho’s starting eleven against Watford, might not feature the prolific talent, he could very well come on as a substitute and change the course of the game, if Chelsea are lagging behind. However, Mourinho will try to rally his troops and dish out a Watford hammering.
“Every game and every competition, we try. So the next game is FA Cup, let’s respect the competition, which is a beautiful one, and try to go all the way.”
“The Championship clubs will be in a better condition than the Premier League clubs,” Mourinho said.
“At the same time, normally the Premier League clubs have more potential, more quality. Maybe it’s a way to make things level.
“One team has more quality but another team is fresh and ready for the game. So maybe matches between Premier League teams and Championship teams, this is a good way to level things.a
Chelsea take on Watford in the FA Cup and will hope that to get back to winning ways.