The occasional dreamy comments about Real Madrid are just the price Chelsea fans pay for having Eden Hazard in Blue. At this point, the club can do little more than make him an offer and hope he accepts.
Maybe Eden Hazard just can’t help toying with people by tap-dancing elegantly around them. Whether it’s a Premier League defence or Chelsea fans, he keeps you guessing “which way is he going to go” until he breezes past you with a flick and a smile. He’s probably an incurable practical joker around the locker room and at home. Fortunately, he’s so good-natured and so good at football that you can’t possibly be mad at him about it. You almost feel flattered that he lets you be the mark for his little pranks.
And so here we are – again – wondering how much Eden Hazard is still thinking about leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid. The latest iteration boils down to him only considering these two clubs for the remainder of his career, and being equally happy with either. The Blues seems to have a slight advantage as the incumbent, but as usual, it feels 50/50.
The Telegraph reports Hazard has put the ball in Real Madrid’s court. He will wait to see what if anything they offer before he negotiates with Chelsea.
This, too, is to Chelsea’s advantage. If they know what they are up against, they can counter more effectively. Then again, the Blues are among the worst negotiators in all of football (sport? business? life?). They may find a way to bobble the simple principle of “add 10%” to whatever Hazard says Real offered.
Or they may simply balk at doing so. Real Madrid know how much Hazard is worth – both on the market and to the teams – and how much richer they are than Chelsea. And, last we checked, Real Madrid’s owner is able to get into the country. If Real want Hazard, they may just open with the nuclear option to ensure the outcome and spare themselves any embarassment of prolonged negotiations.
The quiet key to the situation may be the coaches. Chelsea caught a significant break when Zinedine Zidane stepped down at Real this summer. He was one of the major attractants for Hazard at the Bernabeu. Hazard’s desire to play for Zidane matched his desire to play for Real Madrid, creating a situation Chelsea could barely withstand, especially after Real’s third straight Champions League title.
But now Zidane is gone and Real are in tactical and managerial disarray. After eight games Real Madrid are in fifth place, albeit only two points out of first. Around the Bernabeu, that is enough for the sack race to heat up.
Back at Stamford Bridge, Hazard seems content under Maurizio Sarri and Chelsea are tied on points for first place. He is happy with his football and the club’s, and seems content even if the best chances for a trophy are still in the domestic cups.
This leaves Chelsea with few options to sway Hazard’s decision. To his eternal credit, he is not demanding the club bring in new players or change anything to suit him. He is not making public any demands for his wages or what he thinks his transfer fee should be. He is respectful of the fans, the club and his teammates. Even if you wanted to, it’s impossible to be angry at him. Perhaps just a bit exasperated, as you watch a few highlights and accept you’re happy to let him get away with it.
Whether Real Madrid come in for him is out of Chelsea’s control. All they can do is decide how much he is worth to them and respond to Real’s offer accordingly. Which means all we can do is wait.