BLUES BOSS STUNNED AFTER BELGIUM CALL UP HAZARD
ANTONIO CONTE yesterday admitted his surprise after Belgium manager Roberto Martinez called up Eden Hazard even though the playmaker has yet to return to first-team action at Chelsea. Hazard, 26, has been out with a fractured ankle since June and although he was back in action for the first time last night — playing for 74 minutes in an Under 23 game against Everton — Conte believes he is still a little way off a senior return. The Chelsea boss did not receive a call from Martinez to discuss the selection ahead of Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar and Greece. Conte said: ‘I don’t think he can play. If Hazard is ready, why doesn’t he play with us? Why is he playing with the Under 23s to continue to try to improve his form? I’m a bit surprised. I was a coach in the national team with Italy, but I respect the decision of the other coach. I see Hazard every day and I repeat: it’s important to give the right time to players to recover. ‘If someone thinks to accelerate the process... I think it’s a great mistake.’ Martinez has called up Hazard as he wants his captain present for the first squad get-together after the summer. Hazard will attend team meetings and have medical checks on Monday with Belgium, who will then decide if he will remain in the squad.