Chelsea star Eden Hazard says Jose Mourinho sent him a message at Porto as he is no longer untouchable

Chelsea star Eden Hazard believes that José Mourinho "wanted to send" him a message by leaving him on the bench during the Champions League 2-1 defeat at Porto on 29 September, to show that he is no longer an "untouchable" to the boss. But the Belgium international has been the latest player to express his full support for the Portuguese tactician believing he will turn around the team's poor start to the season.

Hazard led the Blues to both the Premier League title and the Capital One Cup last season after an impressive campaign, netting 19 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions to earn the Premier League Players of the Year award. But the 24-year-old forward has struggled to replicate that form in this campaign. He is yet to score a goal in the new season while was surprisingly drop for the trip to Porto alongside Nemanja Matić.

The Belgium has not hidden he is the first to know he is far from his best.

"It is true that I am no longer untouchable. You can be untouchable when you are playing well, but that has not been the case this season," the 24-year-old was quoted by Standard Sport.

"I was even benched against Porto. I think the coach wanted to send out a message by dropping me. But we have a large squad at Chelsea and we will need everyone."

His poor form have also played a role in the Blues slow start to the season, having suffered four Premier League defeats in the first eight games of the campaign. The position of Mourinho came under scrutiny following the latest setback against Southampton, but the boss warned that he will only resign if his players withdraw their trust in him.

The likes of John Terry and Cesc Fàbregas have since backed the manager, saying he will overcome the situation. Hazard has also said that the whole dressing room supports the Portuguese manager.

"I do not read everything that he says and everything that is being written about him, but I am not worried too much for him," he added. "Mourinho is the best coach in the world to deal with this kind of pressure."