Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois risks wrath of Antonio Conte after criticising decision to take off Eden Hazard against Manchester United
Scores were tied 1-1 at Old Trafford when Hazard was hauled off with 20 minutes remaining
THIBAUT COURTOIS has sensationally criticised Antonio Conte’s decision to sub Eden Hazard in last weekend's defeat to Manchester United.
A dire second-half performance saw the Blues lose 2-1 at Old Trafford, leaving them scrambling for a top four finish with just ten Premier League games remaining.
Hazard was bizarrely taken off by Conte with 20 minutes remaining and the scores tied at 1-1.
Jesse Lingard went on to grab a winner for the Red Devils, leaving Chelsea empty-handed despite a strong showing in the first 45.
Fans and pundits questioned Conte’s decision to remove his star man from the field, with Chelsea’s next game not until a week later.
But Courtois has now risked the wrath of his fiery manager by insisting Hazard should always be given the full 90 minutes, hinting that the Belgian may have been able to find a late equaliser.
Chelsea managers under Roman Abramovich
Claudio Ranieri — 2003-04
Jose Mourinho — 2004-07, 2013-15
Premier League (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2014–15
FA Cup: 2006–07
League Cup (2): 2004–05, 2006–07, 2014–15
Community Shield: 2005
Avram Grant — 2007-08
Luiz Felipe Scolari — 2008-09
Guus Hiddink — 2009, 2015-16
FA Cup — 2008-09
Carlo Ancelotti — 2009-11
Premier League — 2009-10
FA Cup — 2009-10
Community Shield — 2009
Andre Villas-Boas — 2011-12
Roberto Di Matteo — 2012
FA Cup — 2011-12
Champions League — 2011-12
Rafa Benitez — 2012-13
Europa League — 2013
Antonio Conte — 2016-present
Premier League — 2016-17
Courtois told : “After our goal, we conceded a counter-attacking goal just like last Tuesday, but in the second half we had less of the ball, but even then we should never have lost this match.
“If you do not do the small things well in top matches, you lose, which is what happened today.
OUT OF COURT Chelsea talks with Courtois over new £200k-a-week deal on hold as Real circle
“I have no explanation for the sub of Hazard. I had not expected him to take him off but it is a choice of the manager. He must explain. I can’t look into his head.
“Players like Eden should have 90 minutes on the pitch. He can always bring something extra offensive.”
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