So Hazard’s on his way to Chelsea
Bringing Hazard to Stamford Bridge is something of a coup for the Blues and Roman Abramovich, especially as he was linked so heavily with Manchester City prior to the end of the season and the English press’ recent insistence that United was the club that the 21-year-old wanted to join. The deal is reported to be worth around £32 million and the player should pick up around £100k-a-week after tax, which is quite a way shy of the £200k-a-week he was allegedly demanding before.
It’s likely that Hazard will get to play the number 10 role, possibly interchanging with Juan Mata, and the Guardian have reported that former Chelsea man Joe Cole has played a part in helping Hazard make his mind up as the pair know each other from Cole’s loan spell at Lille over the past season.
Cole believes Hazard could become one of the world’s best:
“I’ve probably put about £5m on his transfer with the amount of things I’ve said about him.
“He’s got everything. He’ll maybe become one of the best players in the world.”
(Guardian)
Hazard has just enjoyed a great season with Lille in the French top flight scoring 20 goals and making 15 assists and the Chelsea hierarchy will hope that he carries that form into the Premier League. Many fans have criticised Hazard’s behaviour and attitude during this saga as he’s deliberately left fans guessing, tweeted things like ‘I made up my mind. See you later. Thanks’ and finally announcing his decision on Twitter ‘signing for the Champions League winner’. Not the ideal way to reveal the news in my opinion and he may be an arrogant w*nker, but he’s our arrogant w*nker.
Hazard is currently with the Belgian squad as they prepare to face England at Wembley during the weekend, but everything should be tied up and made official shortly afterwards.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/28/chelsea-eden-hazard-lille?