Mourinho says Hazard not interested in joining Real Madrid

Mourinho says Hazard not interested in joining Real Madrid

Published Apr. 24, 2015 9:21 a.m. ET
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Jose Mourinho is not concerned about Real Madrid's interest in Eden Hazard.

Zinedine Zidane has admitted Real Madrid are keeping tabs on the Chelsea forward but Mourinho was dismissive of their chances of prising him away from Stamford Bridge.

Hazard recently signed a new five-and-a-half year deal with Chelsea and is the favorite for the PFA Player of the Year award.

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Mourinho has previously said every player has his price but is not planning to part ways with the Belgium star any time soon.

"We just signed a new contract with him (until 2021). We didn't put a gun to his head. I don't think he's interested in going," Mourinho said.

Zidane earlier in the week hailed Hazard as one of the top three players in the world, fuelling speculation the Real Madrid coach is trying to lure the 24-year-old to Spain.

"There are players I keep an eye on and who I like a lot, like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, of course. They are fantastic players, but I like Eden Hazard a lot too. I enjoy everything he does on the pitch.

"I like the way he carries himself, that decisive streak in him and the fact that he's improving every year. He can still get better too, and I think he's a big reason why Chelsea are on top of the table."

Cesc Fabregas returns to the Emirates and Mourinho sees no reason why the Spaniard should not be afforded a good reception. 

The former Arsenal captain, who returned to London after three years in Barcelona to join Chelsea last summer, is closing in on his first Premier League title.

The Blues are 10 points clear of the Gunners and victory at the Emirates Stadium would mean three more points would secure the title, points which could come next Wednesday at Leicester.

Mourinho said: "Frank Lampard played at Stamford Bridge (with Manchester City) without any kind of problem and with a good reception. I don't see a reason for Fabregas not to have the same at the Emirates.

"But, if he has some bad reactions, I think he's one of the players who is more than ready.

"He played in Barcelona with an Arsenal shirt. Why can't he play at the Emirates with aChelsea shirt? I don't see a problem."

Arsenal, for whom Fabregas made more than 300 appearances in eight years, reportedly opted out of their buy-back option when it became apparent he could leave the Nou Camp and Mourinho moved swiftly.

The Portuguese added: "I know why he chose Chelsea. I don't know why he didn't choose Arsenal.

"I can't speak about his time at Arsenal, the decision that made him leave, the decision that stopped him going back. I don't know if it was the manager's (Arsene Wenger's) or if it was his decision. I really don't know.

"I just know that we promised him we'd build a team very adapted to his style of play. That he was going to be an important player in our project.

"And that, normally, good projects always end with titles. He was looking for that. That's all I can say."

Fabregas and Diego Costa, who also joined last summer, have been key to Chelsea's title charge, with the playmaker laying on assists for the striker.

Costa could be fit for Sunday's match and displace Didier Drogba in the starting XI, while Loic Remy (calf) is definitely out.

"Didier for sure is good, is fine. Remy, not for sure. And Diego, let's make a decision tomorrow," Mourinho said.

Dominic Solanke is in reserve, having missed Chelsea's under-21 team match on Thursday, and will be on the substitutes' bench as back-up to Drogba if Costa is not fit.

Costa has scored 19 Premier League goals this season, including one in the 2-0 win against Arsenal in October.

But Costa has missed the last two matches - wins against QPR and Manchester United - after a recurrence of the hamstring problems which have plagued him.

"He's a very important player for us, but the reality is we are coping with the difficulties of every match without him," Mourinho added.

"We played amazingly well during the most part of the season, scoring a lot of goals and controlling games very well through the quality of our possession.

"In the last period we are more strategic, less artistic, but we are having results. I would love Diego to be back, but I trust the other people."

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