Chelsea: Sarri pushing Hazard towards Madrid exit claims pundit
That is the opinion of former Sunderland and England striker Kevin Phillips.
On Wednesday, Sarri questioned Eden Hazard’s ability to be a leader for Chelsea.
At his pre-match press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham, Sarri said of the 28-year-old: “He’s more an individual player than a leader.
“He is very important for us, because he is a great player. He always can win the match in two minutes – sometimes in one minute but at the moment he’s not a leader.
History suggests, certainly at Chelsea, once you come out and start publicly criticising your players, it only ends one way
Kevin Phillips on Chelsea's Maurizio Sarri and Eden Hazard
“He’s a great player – one of the best in the world.
“I think he has to do more, because the potential is higher than the performances.”
Phillips cannot understand why Sarri would come out with such comments about his star man.
And he was asked by talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil if it was making Hazard's decision to join long-term admirers Real Madrid easier.
Chelsea transfer news: Maurizio Sarri is pushing Eden Hazard towards Real Madrid, says Phillips (Image: GETTY/TALKSPORT)
Chelsea transfer news: Phillips has questioned Maurizio Sarri's comments on Eden Hazard (Image: TALKSPORT)
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“Is he not pushing him towards Heathrow to get on a plane to Madrid?" Brazil said.
“It seems that way,” Phillips replied.
“And history suggests, certainly at Chelsea, once you come out and start publicly criticising your players, it only ends one way.
“And to do it to your best player is very bizarre.”