Cristiano Ronaldo’s refusal to commit his future to Real Madrid could be bad news for Chelsea.
Ronaldo was receiving the Alfredo Di Stefano award (for best La Liga player last season); arguably Madrid’s greatest player of all time, yet the Portugal captain could not be motivated into pledging his future to the Bernabeu outfit.
So what has that got to do with Chelsea? Well Gareth Bale has been touted to be the next Galatico to arrive Madrid, but 22 year-old Eden Hazard’s emerging brilliance and recent blistering form would have attracted the attention of the powerful European outfit. Further doubts over Ronaldo’s future-his contract ends in 2015-will only accelerate Real’s search for his replacement and Hazard will certainly be a target.
Real Madrid legend and one of the club’s advisors, Zinedine Zidane has never hidden his admiration for Hazard, whom he described as a rarity in the modern game and the former French playmaker will certainly be monitoring his progress at Stamford Bridge where he has been the star performer in recent weeks.
“Eden is technically gifted and very fast. I would take him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed. He can become a great footballer. He is a star of the future”, Zidane had been quoted.
Hazard featured alongside Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke for the Belgium side that failed to make it beyond the first round of the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup won by Nigeria. Both players have forged a strong relationship and are key members of their country’s senior national team.
Not much was read into Benteke’s revelation last year that Hazard’s ultimate dream is to play for Real Madrid, but Chelsea’s next managerial decision could play a key role in the former Lille forward’s career at Stamford Bridge.
His development and motivation must be enhanced with a more competitive team, and the Blues must be fighting for major honours next season.
Simply special
Often times football journalists love to romance the word ‘world class’ in describing talented players and many of them have fallen short of expectation. It’s a mantle worn by players of exceptional abilities who are carefully nurtured to attain greatness.
Chelsea’s next manager can build a successful team around the talented Hazard who is gradually taking more responsibilities, the kind that made him a cult hero at Lille where he won the Ligue 1 and Coupe De France double in the 2010/2011 season and became the French League’s best player two seasons on the trot.
His recent performances suggest a player who will thrive if not inhibited in his role on the pitch and suffer if regimented to the wings. He is an intelligent footballer whose prowess surpasses goalscoring flamboyance, a player who makes teammates profit from his grandeur.
The £32m signing has often been criticised for subdued performances in big games yet played key roles in big wins at London rivals, Arsenal and Tottenham. His second half performance which propelled the Blues to comeback draw at Old Trafford in the FA Cup appeared to have even stimulated his desire to lead the Blues to finishing on a high in a turbulent season for the team.
Strength
Hazard has adapted well to the physical aspect of the Premier League, acquitting himself quite well against Stoke (scored a goal of the season contender at the Britannia in Chelsea’s 4-1 win) and was also Man-of-Match on Sunday against West Ham, netting a brilliant second goal- two physical teams.
He has played nearly 60 games for club and country since he joined Chelsea last summer and has suffered over 100 fouls. Yet he has not missed a game through injury. Hazard’s temperament is admirable bar his red card over the ball boy incident at Swansea in January.
It might sound too early, but Chelsea must make Hazard feel at home after snubbing Madrid and other European giants. You think Bale is the real deal? Eden is an orchestra whose chimes captivate even the most uninterested audience. Over to you, Roman.
Let me know what you all think. KTBFFH!
Writer: Semiu Osho
awesome
YAH! 1 OF D BEST ATICLE I VE READ 4RM U, KEP IT UP.
gr8…liked it…KTBFFH..!!
Had a feeling that hazard maybe wanted to join Real Madrid one day, which I think is ok. Though I rather want to see him end his career at Chelsea, but if he is to join any other club in the future, I Want it to be Real Madrid.
if he will go to madrid..it will be in 3 to 4 years when he will be 25 -26 years old..and if madrid wants him then they will need to pay us a lot of money..a hell lot of money
@pertuab:i really go with your view.And it seems Chelsea have forseen that because by then his younger brother;Thorgan alongside the likes of Kevin de Bryne would have become the next real thing for the MEN IN BLUE!
Hazard will never Chelsea becoz he is feeling lyk playing in the house and i hope he definately end his carrer at Chelsea..
there is nothing to be worried about because most footballers dreams are to one day play for one of barca and madrid. hazard will not leave chelsea anytime soon even if he does it will be in like 4-5 years when he will be 26 or 27 and we wont sell him for anything less than minimum of 60 million.
thats why we should get another young and talented player like isco or gotze
Yeah hazard has so much to offer compare to just speed in bale gv him time hazard is a combination of messi n ronaldo
They like Hazard but they cant get him, he like our Messi, so madrid should 4get about him totally
Hazard n mata are caring chelsea on their shouders n separation will bring chelsea down abruptly..
I just hope he dont go n end his career at chelsea.UP CHELSEA!
Good write up mate. Lets hope we keep Hazard for as long as possible.
I also have a feeling that a team like Madrid or Barca would come calling for him but if we make him a true blue kinda lad like what Luiz and Mata have become we should have no problem keeping him.
I just hope we can be able to keep him. He is just pleasing to the eyes and entertaining to watch. Cfc forever.
If we offer him what he deserves and the platform is good for him, he has no reason to leave. Because, chelsea are one of the top teams in the world. He just came to join the champions of Europe as he claimed last summer. So, lets hope Hazard, Mata and Oscar stay as long as possible at Stamford Bridge and make their names as blues legend like Zola, Drogba, Lampard and Terry.
they want him but cant get him ha! ha!! ha!!!
For the chelsea team this season coming its gonna be hard to make every player happy . 1 because we have too many good players that are ext to start for us ba lukaku schurrle torres hazard mata oscar kevin de bruyne ramires lampard mikel essien azpilicueta Bertrand terry chaill luiz cole and 2 murhinio is most likely to play a more defensive game than both robetto di matteo and raffa played . Overall I wish we win da leauge and keep the key players in the chelsea team