Chelsea’s XI to take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-final first leg tonight has been confirmed and many Blues fans are not at all happy.
Somewhat surprisingly for such a big game, star player Eden Hazard is only on the bench, with manager Maurizio Sarri going for a front three of Pedro, Willian and Olivier Giroud.
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While earlier in the tournament it might have made sense to rest players like Hazard, it now seems pretty baffling to not play the strongest line up possible when there’s a Europa League final place at stake.
Chelsea may well have to win this competition to ensure they qualify for next season’s Champions League, with a top four spot far from guaranteed as well as we head towards the climax of the Premier League season.
Hazard is joined by Gonzalo Higuain on the substitutes’ bench, and it’s fair to say it’s not going down well among many CFC fans on Twitter right now…
Hazard not starting a European competition semi final? Good idea, Sarri.
— RYAN FICKEN (@ryficken) May 2, 2019
Hazard doesn't start. Sarri kuku kill me!
— Sola Oyeniyi (Royalty) (@sholsss) May 2, 2019
A big call from Maurizio Sarri tonight, Eden Hazard not in the starting XI to take on Eintracht Frankfurt. #cfc https://t.co/kLyY9N0YWN
— Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) May 2, 2019
Sarri not playing Hazard & handing a massive boost to Frankfurt, huge chance to win a European trophy & he is prioritising the league, wonder if he realise that we are a massive club & should be doing both… and people wonder why he has never won a trophy, loser mentality
— SWH (@MadMontana) May 2, 2019
No HAZARD #FRACHE pic.twitter.com/6YKmnZ6Qho
— Raphael (@Emma_rafeal) May 2, 2019
No Hazard?? Is this man ok?
— KayLeb?? (@jho_knee_bravo) May 2, 2019
Why no Hazard? What are we resting him for?
— . (@DaveTweets__) May 2, 2019
Hazard should have started, this isn’t no walk over side. I hope it doesn’t cost us, not like we have top four secured.
— ? (@CFCBranoh) May 2, 2019