Jose has no concerns over Hazard’s fitness

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has insisted he has no concerns about Eden Hazard’s fitness.

The Blues’ Belgian star was substituted just after the hour-mark during his country’s win against Israel this week.

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said he decided to take Hazard off because he appeared to be tired and the player himself has admitted that the number of matches he has played this season could be taking its toll.

Soccer - Jose Mourinho File Photo


“I believe in him and his ambition to play and help the team to reach the season’s objective.”

Mourinho on Hazard

But Mourinho is confident Hazard will recover in time to start Saturday’s game against Stoke and can continue to perform during the run-in to the season as Chelsea look to clinch the Premier League title.

Mourinho said: “Hazard is tired because he played two matches in three days – because he played in Israel and travelled.

“He is tired because he is playing and we think he can recover and obviously he starts tomorrow.

“That’s football. That’s a season for a player that is important for his club and national team – a player I want to play every time and a national coach that wants to play him every time.

“It is not a surprise that he can be a bit tired. I believe in him and his ambition to play and help the team to reach the season’s objective.”

Meanwhile, Mourinho will assess Diego Costa’s fitness before deciding whether to start with the striker this weekend.

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