There are two things that you can always rely on to happen in any transfer window. Andy Carroll will be linked with a move back to Newcastle United, which will never materialise, and Eden Hazard will be asked what his thoughts are on Real Madrid. Well guess what, it’s January, and both of those things are happening.
Hazard’s Latest Quotes
Over the years, Hazard has become less and less coy about his desire to play for Los Blancos. In the summer Hazard even went as far to say that he had spoken to Real Madrid, and it is still his dream to play for the club… not exactly keeping his cards close to his chest.
“That’s why I spoke after the World Cup and I said that I think it is time to change because I played a great World Cup,” Hazard said. “I am playing good football. Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don’t want to lie today. It is my dream since I was a kid. I was dreaming about this club. I don’t want to talk about this every day. I don’t have time, but we will talk about my future soon. I think so.”
Here we are in January 2019, Hazard turned 28 earlier this month, he’s entering his prime. He’s also starting to make it clear that he doesn’t intend to spend many years of his prime playing for Chelsea.
Hazard was asked by France Football earlier this week if a move to Real Madrid would please him, and this is what he said: “Why not? You know it very well. You’re asking the question, but you know what the answer will be so you don’t have to ask it.
“I’ve won everything in England, apart from the Community Shield, but that doesn’t mean I’m leaving. I’ve always said that I wanted to explore something different after England but there are also things that might make me stay.
“After the World Cup, I wanted to leave, but in the end I stayed at Chelsea and I’m playing one of the best seasons so far.”
Again, not exactly filling Chelsea fans with hope that he’s going to stay with them for another season.
Should Chelsea cash in on Eden Hazard while they can?
Eden Hazard is a generational talent, you won’t find many players in the world that are as naturally gifted as him, and he certainly is having the best season of his Chelsea career so far. However the Belgian is also entering the last year of his contract next season, and it is believed that little to no progress has been made in talks between the Blues and their star player.
You could somewhat compare this to the saga Arsenal entered into with Alexis Sanchez last season, with the Chilean running down his contract and making his intention to leave the club clear. Hazard is already doing something similar. With every comment he makes about his desire to join the 13 time Champions League winners, his value diminishes. Why would Real Madrid pay a bumper price for a player they know wishes to join them when his contract expires?
There’s always a risk that Eden Hazard will change his mind and choose to resign with Chelsea, which would then either force Real to pay a significantly higher price to sign the Belgian star, if he wanted to leave at all.
But realistically, the links between Hazard and Real aren’t just rumour, there is heavy substance behind them. It’s time for Chelsea to cash in on him at the end of this season, get as much as they can, and move on. With the money they would receive for the Belgian they would certainly be able to buy another star player, and it may also give some of their younger players a chance to shine.
Something needs to change at Chelsea, there is a cloud hanging over the club. The past three managers have all complained about issues with motivating their players for big games. Perhaps starting over, shipping out some of their longer serving players and bringing in some fresh faces would help kickstart the club into a more positive attitude. But not having the Hazard situation hanging over them would certainly be a good start.
Should Hazard Leave?
In short, yes. He is correct when he says that he has won everything there is to win in England. A two time Premier League winner, one FA Cup, one League Cup, PFA Young Player of the Year, PFA Player of the Year, PFA Team of the Year. He has won it all.
A move to Real would give him a chance to challenge for yet more silverware, in one of the biggest clubs in world football. It would also allow him to chase a Champions League trophy, something that every professional footballer dreams of winning. There is a gap in the Real squad for a player of Hazard’s quality, in Hazard’s position. It is waiting to be filled by the Belgian, as the man to help push Real Madrid back to the top of La Liga and back to being the best club in Europe.
There is one final reason as to why Hazard wishes to move to Real Madrid, and that is to get a chance at winning both the FIFA Player of the Year award, and crucially, the Ballon D’or. Real Madrid lay claim to the most Ballon D’or wins of all time, with 7 players collectively picking up the award 11 times. The winner of the award has also played for Real Madrid in each of the past three years… all facts that support his comments, moving to Los Blancos would give him a better chance of winning the most prestigious individual awards in football.
Do you think Hazard should leave Chelsea? Let us know your thoughts below.
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