Chelsea forward Eden Hazard says that having constant negative comments from boss Jose Mourinho has helped him develop into a better player.
The Belgian international was superb for Chelsea last season and has continued his form into this season, but he was subject to a number of scathing attacks by boss Jose Mourinho for a small number of poor performances.
Despite Mourinho’s comments and digs at the former Lille player, Hazard has thanked his boss, saying that he thrives off them.
“There is a lot of respect – he is the best coach in the world – and he gives me a lot of confidence,” the 23-year-old told Sport Foot Magazine.
“Even after a bad match, he picks me again. He will have a little dig saying: ‘Today we played with 10 [men]’ but he stops there. He leaves me alone and does not go on at me.
“It is the first time I have known this with a coach. The others tended to protect me. He really wants my potential to explode and he does everything to make it happen.”
The forwad, though, says that although some of Mourinho’s comments are heated, the most heated remain behind closed doors.
“I had no fears when he came,” continued Hazard. “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: ‘OK, 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 but that stays behind closed doors. It’s funny to see that – as long it’s not about you!”
