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VIDEO: I had to axe Hazard after passport gaffe to set example admits Mourinho
JOSE MOURINHO has revealed that he had to drop Eden Hazard for his passport blunder for the good of his squad.
The Chelsea manager axed Belgian star Hazard from his side for Wednesday night’s 3-0 Champions League win over Schalke, because the £34million star missed training on Monday.
Hazard had been to France watch his old team Lille play Monaco on Sunday night without permission, and then lost his passport, so he missed his train back on Monday morning, and the squad’s session.
But Mourinho has forgiven the skilful 22 year old, who will be back in the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with West Bromwich at Stamford Bridge.
8.11.13 Jose Mourinho presser ahead of WBA
"Eden reacted well because he apologised to me and to the club," said Mourinho. "Of course the apology was not accepted because that was something I couldn't accept.
"He went to a foreign country when he shouldn't have, and then lost his passport which meant he couldn't get back for training. That was unacceptable.
"Every player knows me and knows my reaction. For me the group is always more important than any player.
"But it's over now. He's selected and ready to play. Now he has the appetite to play, because I didn't allow him to on Wednesday. So he’s happy he’s back.
"It was a risk not to select him, but sometimes as a manager you have to do that if you feel consequences for the group are important . The consequence was that he did not play, which is worst thing you can to do a player. Case over - he's a very good kid."
Mourinho will again be without striker Fernando Torres, who is still recovering from a groin strain.
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