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In a candid revelation, former Chelsea star Eden Hazard has shed light on his pivotal decision to join the Blues back in 2012, attributing his choice directly to their historic Champions League victory.
Hazard, then emerging as one of Europe’s most sought-after talents during his time at Lille, disclosed in a recent interview on The Obi One Podcast with former Chelsea midfielder John-Obi Mikel, that he had explored various options before settling on his move to Stamford Bridge.
“I had a chat with Sir Alex Ferguson. I spoke with Harry Redknapp, that time he was the manager [of] Tottenham. I went to Manchester to see the Man City training ground. So I had a few options, but not Chelsea,” Hazard revealed.
The Belgian winger elaborated, explaining that Chelsea’s underwhelming performance in the Premier League during the 2011-2012 season initially deterred him from considering them as a destination. However, Chelsea’s triumph in the Champions League altered his perspective entirely.
“Because the last year [at] Lille, Chelsea were not good in the league. I knew I was leaving France to go to the Premier League, but not Chelsea because I wanted to play Champions League. That move came because you [Chelsea] won the Champions League,” Hazard admitted.
Pressed further by Mikel on the significance of Chelsea’s continental success in sealing his transfer, Hazard affirmed, “My friend, Chelsea was far away! That’s why I say, thank you to Drogba!”
Indeed, Didier Drogba’s heroics in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich not only secured Chelsea’s first-ever European title but also played a pivotal role in luring Hazard to the club. The Belgian’s subsequent £32 million ($40.3m) transfer marked the beginning of a legendary stint at Stamford Bridge.
During his tenure with Chelsea, Hazard established himself as a club icon, contributing significantly to their successes, including two Premier League titles, two Europa League trophies, an FA Cup, and a League Cup. His remarkable tally of 202 goal contributions in 352 matches solidified his status as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players.
Despite his illustrious spell in London, Hazard faced challenges in his subsequent move to Real Madrid, where injuries marred his performances. Following his retirement from international football in December 2022 and his ultimate retirement from the game in October 2023, Hazard continues to engage in candid interviews, leaving fans speculating about his future endeavors.
