Mourinho’s criticism makes me a better player – Hazard

The Belgium international had never encountered a manager who used the media to berate players, but says such public shaming from the Chelsea boss motivates him to improve  .....FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @6326david

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard says criticism from manager Jose Mourinho is helping him to develop into a better player.
The Belgium international shone under the Portuguese coach last season, though was not beyond reproach and was the subject of Mourinho's public ire after losing his man in the Blues' Champions League semi-final exit to Atletico Madrid.
Despite being singled out after Atleti's triumph, Hazard says that he has a huge amount of respect for his manager and believes that his tough love will help his potential to "explode".

TRANSFER TALK: ALL THE LATEST RUMOURS
	Chelsea are 10/1 with Bet365 to beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at Selhurst Park

"There is a lot of respect – he is the best coach in the world – and he gives me a lot of confidence," the 23-year-old told Sport Foot Magazine.

"Even after a bad match, he picks me again. He will have a little dig saying: 'Today we played with 10 [men]' but he stops there. He leaves me alone and does not go on at me."

On the subject of Mourinho's public criticism, Hazard added: "It is the first time I have known this with a coach. The others tended to protect me. He really wants my potential to explode and he does everything to make it happen."

The Belgian, though, says that the most heated bust-ups between Mourinho and his squad stay behind closed doors, while a fear of getting on the former Real Madrid boss's wrong side motivates the team to give their all.

"I had no fears when he came. I was just wondering if I was going to be stressed when he had a go at me.

"I remember my first warm-up matches in Asia with him. He killed me once or twice then I thought: 'OK, this is the Mourinho style.' When he looks you in the eyes, you feel like the target and it doesn't feel good at the time.

"If you do not give 100 per cent, you know he will not let that go and it might hurt. There have already been great slanging matches in the changing room but that stays behind closed doors. It's funny to see that – as long it's not about you!"