Eden Hazard apologizes to Mourinho

Eden Hazard has apologized to former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho for his role in the Portuguese manager’s sacking. 

The Belgian sent a text message to his 53 year old ex manager apologizing for his poor form this year, with Mourinho replying and wishing him all the best.

In a wide ranging interview with the Guardian, Hazard revealed that he had sent the text message apologizing to Mourinho a few days after his sacking, saying “I sent him the message to say I was sorry he had gone and well, just that I was sorry.”

The Belgian underlined the guilt he felt at his poor form, while also revealing Mourinho’s magnanimous reply, saying “We’d enjoyed all that success together last season, but this time round we hadn’t.

I felt a little bit guilty because I’d been player of the year. I’d been one of the most decisive players, and this year I’d performed less well. I hadn’t been at the same level. So I sent that text to José and he came back to me, wishing me all the best for the future.”

Jose Mourinho to sell this four key players in January, according to reports

There has been a lot of talk and speculation of late that Jose Mourinho wants to conduct a root and branch revolution at Stamford Bridge this January.

The Chelsea boss has reportedly asked owner Roman Abramovich to trust him in getting the club out of crisis, by giving him until January to make significant personnel changes.

Several players have been scapegoated and dropped by Mourinho this season as he’s attempted to distance himself from the team’s failings, and two of the scapegoated players feature on Sport’s list.

The Barcelona-based paper claim to be privy to the identity of the four players that Mourinho wants out the door this January: Diego Costa, Nemanja Matic, Eden Hazard and Oscar.

Interestingly, there is no sign of Cesc Fabregas on the list – the player who was accused by various media outlets of being the ‘dressing room rat’ (an allegation he vehemently denies.

Do you think this is a solution to Chelsea crisis? 

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Mourinho worried over under-achieving stars

Chelsea Manager unhappy with unacceptable form after defeat to Crystal palace.

Jose Mourinho has branded as unacceptable the form of the core of his title winning team this season and warned he will make changes if his stars are still not achieving the desired result

Jose Mourinho will demand his leading players, including Eden Hazard, improve after Chelsea's chastening start to the season.

The Barclays Premier League champions have four points from four games and sit eight points behind leaders Manchester City after Saturday's 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace.

It was Mourinho's second loss in 100 home league games as Chelsea boss and he was frustrated by individual and collective performances.

"If you are the best in the Premier League, I think it should be a good responsibility to have a similar season as in the previous season," Mourinho said.

"I don't want to analyse individual performances. When you have six or seven performing and three or four who are not (at) an acceptable level, it is difficult for a team to be consistent in the performance."

Whether he turns to the transfer market in search of answers ahead of Tuesday's 6pm deadline remains to be seen.

Mourinho said: "If you ask me, will I accept this, cross my arms, sit in a nice chair and wait calmly for the performance level to be back? No.

"I have to work, I have to react, I have to analyse and if I feel the players are not in conditions to react and give more, I have to make changes. I have never had a problem with that."

Asked whether his team retained the appetite to defend their title, the Portuguese said: “If that is the point, it is very, very sad because, for me, I feel the opposite. When I win, I want to win again. 

My medal is at home, in a drawer, [because] I feel fantastic motivation for more. If you win it once and the next [year] you are not on fire, not ready at least to fight for more, that is sad.

Drogba convinced me to join Chelsea - Hazard

Didier Drogba was behind Eden Hazard's big-money transfer to Chelsea almost three years ago, according to the Belgium international midfielder.

Hazard left Lille for Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth £32 million in 2012 and Rudi Garcia, who was coach of the Ligue 1 outfit at the time, claimed a phone call from owner Roman Abramovich persuaded the player to relocate to England .

However, the PFA Players' Player of the Year recipient insisted that was not the case, instead telling The Mirror that Chelsea icon Drogba convinced him to join the London club.

"I didn't want to go to Chelsea because I wanted to play the Champions League and they were sixth in the league," said 24-year-old, who has won the Premier League, League Cup and UEFA Europa League since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

"I was convinced when they won the Champions League in 2012."At the time, Roberto Di Matteo really wanted me, they had Juan Mata, and Oscar had been bought.

I was told: 'You'll see, Chelsea will play football'."Gervinho called me and said: 'Someone's on the phone'.

I didn't know who it was but it was Drogba, he wanted me to sign."I was flattered, he was maybe the best striker in the world. In my head, I wasn't going to sign, but in the end I was very pleased with my choice.

 I didn't speak to Abramovich."I don't know why coach Garcia wrote that in his book."

Hazard crowned PFA Players´ Player of the Year

Eden Hazard was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year winner on Sunday, after the Chelsea midfielder's brilliant Premier League campaign.

Hazard has scored 13 goals so far for Jose Mourinho's side, who are bound to win the English top-flight trophy as they carry a 10-point lead into their final five games.

The 24-year-old was the first Belgian player to win the award, and marked the fifth straight year an Englishman did not claim the honour - with Gareth Bale (2010-11, 2012-13), Robin van Persie (2011-12) and Luis Suarez (2013-14) the recent winners.

Tottenham's Harry Kane was handed the Young Player of the Year honours having chalked up 20 league goals.

The PFA's Premier League team of the year was: David de Gea (Manchester United), Ryan Bertrand (Sunderland), John Terry (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Harry Kane (Tottenham) and Diego Costa (Chelsea).

Hazard the best in Premier League - Oscar

Chelsea midfielder Oscar believes clubmate Eden Hazard deserves to be seen as "the best player in England".

Hazard is tipped by many to sweep this season's player of the year awards, as Chelsea close in on a first Premier League title since 2010.

And Oscar says such accolades would be entirely justified for a player who has chipped in with 12 goals and eight assists in the league this term.

"In my opinion he is the best player of Premier League at this moment," the Brazilian told Perform. "It's very hard pointing out who's the best here or there, especially here with so many good players.

"But Hazard has been so consistent and he deserves to be considered as the best player in England.

"Obviously we have other good players like Willian, he is only 25, or Diego Costa.

"We still have room for improvement, [but] if we keep this winning mentality I can't see why not other stars can't rise here."

Chelsea sit seven points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and host third-placed Manchester United on Saturday.