Eden Hazard admits to tiredness after Belgium win over Israel
Blues ace Hazard is unlikely to be rested before the summer
Chelsea star Eden Hazard has admitted an intense campaign in the Premier League and Champions League may have left him to too tired after he was substituted during Belgium's win over Israel on Tuesday.
The winger has played a remarkable 48 games this season for club and country, missing just five matches for the Blues, and has proven to be a major part of their hunt for the title.
As Belgium laboured to a narrow 1-0 win over Israel in the European Championship qualifying stage, Hazard was hauled off by Marc Wilmots with 28 minutes to go having struggled for large periods.
"I was a little bit surprised to be substituted," Hazard said. "Also, I was a little bit unhappy and I think you could see that I was unhappy.
"I asked the coach for a reason and he told me that I was tired. Maybe I was a little bit tired. I’ve played a lot of games this season."
In his post-match comments, Wilmots added: "Hazard is not hurt, but I had the impression that he was tired. In these kind of games, you have to react immediately because we did not have time."
Belgium and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany was sent off for a second yellow card just moments after Hazard's withdrawal, leaving Wilmot's men clinging on to their slender lead.
Despite his admission, the 24-year-old is unlikely to get any rest soon as Jose Mourinho's men prepare to lock horns with Stoke City at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
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