Eden Hazard has revealed that he text Jose Mourinho in the aftermath of his departure from Chelsea, apologising for underperforming during Chelsea’s disastrous start to their title defence.
Hazard played a key role in bringing the Premier League title to Stamford Bridge last season, earning the PFA Player of the Year award in the process.
But along with other members of the Chelsea squad, the Belgian failed to hit the same heights when he returned from the summer break.
Speaking to The Guardian, The former Lille winger has admitted that he felt guilty at the nature of Mourinho’s departure, and decided to make his feelings known.
“I sent him the message to say I was sorry he had gone and … well … just that I was sorry,” he says. “We’d enjoyed all that success together last season, but this time round we hadn’t. I felt a little bit guilty because I’d been player of the year. I’d been one of the most decisive players, and this year I’d performed less well.
“I hadn’t been at the same level. So I sent that text to Jose and he came back to me, wishing me all the best for the future.
“For a team of champions to go through what we have this year even I can’t explain. Things have been better recently, but we’re still not winning games quite as we used to.
“No one can put his finger on what’s happened at Chelsea.”
Despite being far from their best, Chelsea are unbeaten under Guus Hiddink and will hope to claim three points when they face Manchester United on Sunday.