Arsenal legend Lee Dixon has hammered Maurizio Sarri's decision to leave Eden Hazard out of the Chelsea starting line-up for the Europa League clash at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Chelsea have travelled to Germany for the semi-final first leg with the prize of Champions League football providing a dangling carrot for the Blues.
But Sarri seems as focused on making sure his side make the Premier League top four after he decided to drop Hazard to Chelsea's bench for the tie at Frankfurt.
This led to some bewilderment among Chelsea fans after the team news was announced prior to kick-off, but pundits also let fly with their opinions on the matter.
Maurizio Sarri reveals why he benched Eden Hazard for Chelsea's clash at Eintracht Frankfurt
Former Arsenal star Dixon came up with perhaps the strongest criticism of Sarri and his decision when speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Eden Hazard on the bench? If the manager came in and said he was leaving me out I'd say, I don't care who you are, what you've won in the game, this is what the season is all about," Dixon told BBC Sport.
"It's what you do all your prep for, play all those games, get to the semi-final which is arguably the most nerve-racking game. To rest him for Watford, I'm sorry, I can't see it."
'Are you joking?' Chelsea fans can't believe what Maurizio Sarri has done at Eintracht Frankfurt
Pedro and Willian have instead been preferred to Hazard as the wide forwards accompanying Olivier Giroud in the advanced roles for Chelsea this evening.
Hazard is on the bench in what is a clear move by Sarri to rest the Belgium international ahead of Chelsea's crucial clash at home to Wolves on Sunday afternoon.
Chelsea team vs Eintracht Frankfurt confirmed: Sarri makes surprise call on Hazard
The Blues are currently fourth in the Premier League and two points clear of Arsenal with two matches left to play.
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