Mourinho relationship with Hazard ‘under immense strain’

ACCORDING to a BBC presenter, one member of Chelsea’s first-team squad would “rather lose than win” for Jose Mourinho, a claim that if true would destroy the insistence from many at Stamford Bridge that the beleaguered manager has his team’s full backing.

The suggestion comes in the aftermath of Chelsea’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool, the sixth defeat in 11 Premier League games for the reigning champions.

Chelsea publicly backed Mourinho last month whilst various players have said they are behind the manager. However, the insistence of harmony behind the scenes may not be the full story.

Speaking on Sportsweek, BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Garry Richardson said: “Let me tell you what I know on the Chelsea story. My information comes from a Chelsea first team player.

“The information was actually passed to me by a football contact. I was told that Jose Mourinho’s relationship with many of his players is at rock bottom.

“I was told they’re fed up with the way he’s been dealing with some of them. They’re fed up with his outbursts.”

Chelsea’s loss to Liverpool saw another poor performance from Mourinho’s side, with last term’s player of the season Eden Hazard among those failing to impress. According to Richardson, the Belgian is among those unhappy.

“I was told that his [Mourinho’s] relationship particularly with Eden Hazard was under immense strain.

“Here’s a staggering quote. One player said recently, ‘I’d rather lose than win for him’. Now that last quote may well have been said in the heat of the moment, but it perhaps gives an insight into the mood of some of the players.”

Mourinho has said he expects to remain in charge at Chelsea, despite this latest setback. – The Independent