Eden Hazard retaliates to leadership questions

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has responded to comments from boss Maurizio Sarri that he lacked leadership qualities.

Sarri claimed that Hazard was “not a leader” before the semi-final second leg, suggesting the Belgian international is more of an individual player.

However, the 28-year-old responded to his Italian boss’ comments by ending a barren spell of six games without scoring by helping Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur to reach the Carabao Cup final

Hazard’s response on the pitch, by scoring the winner to take the semi-final tie to penalties at Stamford Bridge, was followed by retaliatory comments towards the criticism from his manager.

“My job on the pitch is to do what I can do. Today I did so I am just happy. I always say that on the pitch I’m a leader. I think I’m a leader.

“To be fair, I don’t care. I just play my football, it doesn’t matter what the manager said. I just focus on this team and I always want to do the best for this team. Today I did and I’m just happy.”

The Blues will take on Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 24 February and, having been the side to end Pep Guardiola’s side’s unbeaten start to the season, Hazard is expecting a tough test at the National Stadium next month.

 “It’s always hard [against Man City]. With Liverpool, I think they are the best team in the Premier League at the moment.

“They win a lot of trophies in the last five or six years, but we also have a great team so I think it is a 50-50 game.”