• Premier League

Ivanovic backs Mourinho in Hazard row

ESPN staff
November 8, 2013
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Branislav Ivanovic has welcomed Jose Mourinho's disciplined approach at Chelsea after Eden Hazard was reprimanded this week.

Hazard, 22, was dropped from Chelsea's 3-0 win over Schalke on Wednesday as punishment for missing training on Monday, reportedly because the playmaker was running late as he forgot his passport.

The Belgium international is set to return to the side for this weekend's Premier League game against West Brom, and Ivanovic believes Hazard will learn from his mistake.

"It is important for the team to accept this as a discipline," Ivanovic said in The Times. "Eden will feature in the next game. It means we are serious and we are all together and I don't think he has a problem with that."

Gary Cahill echoed Ivanovic's sentiments, insisting the squad is united under their boss Mourinho, who was critical of the team following their 2-0 loss at Newcastle last weekend.

"They had their chat one to one and the situation is dealt with," Cahill said. "Eden Hazard is a terrific player and we obviously need him in the squad and available, so of course we look forward to having him back.

"The manager makes decisions and he does not have to explain every single one. But the camp is a happy one, especially when we are winning games. And the fact that players know exactly where they stand, but there are no long-term grudges, I suppose you could say that is what people talk about as the Mourinho effect."

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