Chelsea boss rejects call for Eden Hazard to be more selfish

Eden Hazard with Antonio Conte

CHELSEA boss Antonio Conte has flatly rejected Cesc Fabregas’ call for Eden Hazard to be more selfish, saying it is “not my idea of football”.

Speaking after Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham, Fabregas said team-mate Hazard could reach the level of Lionel Messi if he was “selfish” and showed greater “killer instinct”.

But Conte said: “In my team, I don’t want selfish players. I prefer to lose a game than to have a selfish player.

“For me, it’s sad to listen to this.”

Hazard scored his 15th goal of the season after coming off the bench as Chelsea beat Spurs 4-2 at Wembley, underlining his importance to Conte’s double-chasing squad.

Conte, whose side have a four-point lead over Tottenham at the top of the Premier League, is satisfied with Hazard’s contribution and does not want to see a change in his approach.

“The first target for every great champion is to play for the team and to put your talent into the team,” he said. “The best players in the world don’t exist without a team.

“I will never understand this. Never, never. I don’t want this and I can’t accept this.

“I don’t want my club to buy me a selfish player one day. Never. No.”

Chelsea could complete the double in Conte’s first season in charge after advancing to the FA Cup final where they will face Arsenal, on 27 May.

Before then they need to respond from two defeats in four Premier League matches, beginning at home to Southampton on Tuesday night.

Defender Gary Cahill is Chelsea’s only doubt after he missed the cup semi with gastroenteritis, but Conte said the England international has returned to training and could feature.

SOURCE: BBC SPORT