Hazard could be kicked out of English football, warns Mourinho

Posted Saturday, January 03, 2015 by Goal.com

The Chelsea boss believes the Belgian is forced to endure too much physical punishment from opposing teams and fears it could end up driving him away

Eden Hazard could leave English football unless referees clamp down on the physical treatment he receives from opposing players, according to Jose Mourinho.

Hazard shone even as Chelsea ended up on the receiving end of a shock 5-3 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Thursday, scoring a well-taken goal in the second half.

But Mourinho was unhappy at some of the challenges endured by his Belgian winger - who is reportedly attracting interest from Real Madrid - and believes officials must do more to protect one of the Premier League's brightest talents.

"People [are] in love with football in this country; people must be in love with Eden Hazard," the coach told reporters.

"The way, match after match, he's being punished by opponents and he's not being protected by referees, maybe one day we won't have Eden Hazard.

"It's one, two, three, four, five, 10 aggressive fouls against him. They kick and kick and kick, and the kid resists.

"He's a very honest guy in the way he plays, but that's another problem."