Ekun Samuel, 20/October/ 2015, 5:30
“It was just a tactical decision leaving super quality on the bench but bringing tactical discipline and hoping that the team could be solid. I continue in that way or he [Hazard] comes in our direction and tries to replicate the same work Willian or Pedro did.” This was the statement made by Jose Mourinho after the weekend win against Aston Villa in the league when asked about his decision to leave his best player on the bench.
One thing Jose Mourinho never fails to do, is to demonstrate or stamp his authority in any team he manages by letting his players be aware there is only one boss in the team and nobody is untouchable. Prior to the game against Aston Villa, Jose Mourinho has openly said he will give his under performing players a chance as they are known to be his trusted guards, but at the same time admitted nobody is untouchable. In relation to his decision and comments, it would cast our minds back to when he was at Real Madrid and the decision he took against their no 1 Man ‘Iker Cassilas’ due to strings of under performance and decided to bring in Diego Lopez to be his no 1 Man between the sticks. On his return to Stamford-Bridge two years ago, he left out Chelsea’s two time best player ‘Mata’ on the bench. To justify his decision was the same issue of not been defensively inclined.
With the recent decision by Jose Mourinho, it remains to be seen how long his decision would be. And it could leave Hazard with little or no choice to reconsider the decision of joining Real Madrid as speculation increases been wanted by Los Blancos. But with the recent injury to Pedro, it serves as a lifeline to Hazard to go in the direction of Jose Mourinho and replicate the same defensive work rate as Pedro and William.
