Hazard admits to "Frightened Chelsea"

The fall out from our FA Cup exit to Manchester City on Sunday continues and I want to draw your attention to an astounding quote from Eden Hazard after the game. He said:

“We were frightened of City in the first half. We showed them too much respect, and paid the price. Maybe we might have deserved a different fate, but we started the game badly.

We played the final 40 minutes, but that is not enough to beat City. We had chances, and we believed we could do something, but their keeper made some good saves.”

(Source)

I cannot believe what I am reading here! Frightened of City! Why?

We are Chelsea, the current Champions of Europe and FA Cup holders with big game players. Why the hell are we scared of City?

I will take stick for this again but for me it comes down to Benitez. For example, remember Mourinho’s management style? He would install a self belief in his players and into the team. He would cement a winning mentality that runs through the heart of the football club and this would be included in preparation for matches. The Chelsea team would take to the pitch fully confident of winning the game without any doubts and it worked!

Why on earth would we set out being afraid of City?If anything, they would be worried about Chelsea and the threat we pose to them but not frightened of us!

You have to question after hearing Hazard’s quote if it would have been the same with John Terry and Frank Lampard on the pitch, because we all know they wouldn’t have accepted that from anyone wearing a Chelsea shirt that day!

Hazard is right about one thing. When we started playing for the remaining 40 minutes, we caused City all kinds of problems and but for the goalkeeper and the Ref, we would have at least taken the game to extra time.

For the big games, preparation is key. How many times have we seen Chelsea under Benitez take a whole first half of football to get going? This was a fantastic opportunity to win something this season and we blew it.

I accept that players can have an off day or are below par. I do not accept players going out on the pitch defeated before they have even kicked a ball!

Carefree & KTBFFH!