Jose Mourinho has hinted that Chelsea winger Eden Hazard will never be given a number 10 role under his watch.
The Belgian schemer is reportedly desperate to be given a free role behind the striker after struggling so far in an inconsistent 2015-16 campaign.
Oscar has been Mourinho's primary number 10 since the Portuguese returned to Stamford Bridge in 2013, and the Chelsea boss admits that he will not change to accommodate Hazard's wishes.
"Me and Eden have different concepts of number 10," he told reporters. "For me a number 10 does a lot of things with and without the ball. So a number 10 is a very special player in my team.
"In my first period, we played with two number eights. But in my last period, with Chelsea, we are playing with a system of two midfield players and one number 10. I demand a lot from someone in that position. Every position is important but it is an important position.
"I like a number 10 to score goals. I like a number 10 to get in the box. I like a number 10 to score a goal like Oscar did against Maccabi Tel Aviv. A number 10 for me is an eight-and-a-half when the team loses the ball and the number 10 is a nine-and-a-half when the team has the ball."
The Premier League champions face in-form Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon.
Shane Callaghan
