Mourinho or Sarri? Eden Hazard picks which manager he enjoys playing most with

What’s the story?

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has gone on record saying that he is more comfortable playing under Maurizio Sarri than former boss Jose Mourinho. He made the revelation while speaking to the Chelsea website, as reported by Sky Sports.

In case you didn’t know…

Hazard has worked extensively with both Sarri and Mourinho, and is abreast with their footballing philosophies and style of play. The Belgium international worked under Mourinho for two and half years, winning the Premier League and EFL Cup with him.

The Blues forward also enjoyed one of his finest seasons under the Portuguese in the 2014/15 season, where he emerged best player in the English top-flight.

That said, Hazard also has a fair idea of Sarri, who took over as Chelsea manager at the beginning of the season. The 28-year-old is once again enjoying his football and has been in good form under the Italian, despite Chelsea’s poor run of form in recent weeks.

The heart of the matter

Asked to make a choice on the best managers he’s worked with, Hazard named both Mourinho and Sarri but said he prefers the latter’s style of football.

He told Chelsea's website: "All the managers I've played for have given me something. From when I started with Claude Puel at Lille, to now with Maurizio Sarri. They all see football in different ways which is why I'm the player I am. They have all given me important advice.

"Jose Mourinho was special, but the way Sarri and Rudi Garcia [former Lille coach] like to play is more like my philosophy of football. But they've all given me a lot."

This is a strong endorsement of Sarri's tactics, which would have come as some kind of relief after the intense criticism showered upon him in the wake of Chelsea's listless recent performances.

What’s next?

Chelsea defeated Malmo FF 2-1 in the first leg of Thursday’s Europa League Round of 32 tie, and will now turn their attention to a crucial FA Cup game against Manchester United on Monday.

They will hope that their recovery continues after the 6-0 debacle against Manchester City, because they need all the confidence they can muster against an in-form Manchester United.