The Belgian says he respects Mourinho despite his public criticism of the attacker.
Eden Hazard has spoken out about his relationship with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after the 51-year-old publicly criticised the attacking midfielder last season.
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Following the Blues’ elimination from the Champions League quarter-finals to Atletico Madrid, Mourinho singled out Hazard for not having tracked back enough.
Many thought that this outburst from the boss would convince the Belgium international to leave Stamford Bridge, with Paris Saint-Germain openly admitting they were interested in the 23-year-old.
However, Hazard made no effort to try and leave West London and has admitted that Mourinho’s comments actually spurred him on to try and impress this term.
“There is a lot of respect – he is the best coach in the world – and he gives me a lot of confidence,” the Belgian was quoted by the Mirror.
“I had no fears when he came.
“I was just wondering if I was going to be stressed when he had a go at me.
“I remember my first warm-up matches in Asia with him. He killed me once or twice then I thought, ‘Okay, this is the Mourinho style’. When he looks you in the eyes, you feel like the target and it doesn’t feel good at the time.
“If you do not give 100 per cent, you know he will not let that go and it might hurt. There have already been great slanging matches in the changing room.”
It seems to be working as Hazard has been in great form so far in 2014/15 and has scored two Premier League goals to help his team to the top of the table after seven matches.
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