Sarri: Hazard Is Selfish, Disrespectful

By Max Wise

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has given a scathing verdict on the leadership qualities of Eden Hazard, saying the Belgium national team skipper ‘is not a leader.’

The Italian trainer said at a press conference on Wednesday that the Chelsea ace is a good player but 'plays for himself than for the team.'

Sarri made the headlines after Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last Saturday when he claimed that his players were difficult to motivate while casting aspersions that some of them do not have the quality to play at the highest level.

The remarks provoked tension between him and the players, but there were reports earlier this week that the two sides have met to thrash out the difference.

The development had barely died down before Sarri jumped to the fray again to accuse the club’s poster-boy of lacking self-respect and leadership qualities.

“He has to do more because the potential is higher than the performances, I think. He has to respect, first of all, himself. He has to do more,” Sarri said as quoted by Goal.

"He's more of an individual player than a leader. He's very important for us, of course, because he's a great player."

"He can win a match in two minutes, sometimes one minute. He is one of the best in the world, but at this moment he is not a leader."

Hazard caused a stir in an interview with France Football earlier this week when he stated he has frustrated all the managers he has played with in his career while also remaining undecided on his future at Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old Belgian has been arguably Chelsea’s best player this season, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists in 22 Premier League games.