Baku: After scoring twice in Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Arsenal in the Europa League final, Eden Hazard said it was the moment to call time on his magnificent career with the London club to seek new challenges.
The Belgian is widely expected to join Real Madrid and he capped a superb display against Premier League rivals Arsenal.
“My dream was to play in the Premier League and I did it for seven years. I think it’s a goodbye time now and it couldn’t have been better. It is always great to depart on a winning note,” Hazard told ‘BT Sport’ after the game.
However, it was former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud who opened the account for Chelsea before the Hazard masterclass began. Hazard set up the second goal for Pedro, before scoring twice himself.
“It was good. The first half both teams had a bit of stress because it was a final. But when Olly (Giroud) scored it was the beginning of a great night,” Hazard said.
“We played well in the second half. We tried to play our football and we knew we had the players to do that. It is a great trophy to win.”
Hazard, 28, joined Chelsea from Lille in 2012 for 32 million pounds ($40.41 million) and won the Europa League in his first season, later winning the Premier League title in 2015 and 2017 as well as one League Cup and one FA Cup.
Real Madrid have not tried to hide their desire to sign the Hazard, with president Florentino Perez admitting this week that he has been chasing his signature for years and expects to land the Belgian this summer.
Hazard however, did not disclose his next destination. “Offers are there, discussions are on,” he said. “But more than anything else I am seeking new challenges that will help me grow as a player,” he added.
Reuters