Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has told Belgium coach Marc Wilmots to keep quiet over Eden Hazard's future at club level, having lobbied for the playmaker to join Real Madrid this week.
The 24-year-old was dropped by Mourinho for the 2-0 win over Aston Villa last week after last season's PFA Player of the Year endured a sluggish start to the Blues' title defence.
Wilmots reportedly encouraged the out-of-form Belgian winger to consider a switch to the Spanish giants in a move that has incurred the wrath of the Portuguese, who feels that the 46-year-old is talking out of turn.
"When he is in the national team, I don't open my mouth. Ever," a disgruntled Mourinho is quoted as saying by The Mirror.
"But some people don't have the same ethics and they comment when the players are at the club. That's not my problem."
Chelsea, who sit 12th in the Premier League table, 10 points behind leaders Manchester City, face West Ham United at Upton Park on Saturday.