Eden Hazard is all over the papers in England and Spain. Will the Chelsea player stay or will he go? Hazard is at a crossroads.
Papers in Spain have two takes on Eden Hazard. The first is that he wants a big move to Real Madrid and that if Real Madrid give him “the eyes” before New Year’s, he will tell Chelsea he wants to go. The second take is that Real Madrid have no interest in the Belgian whatsoever and will look to bring in other players.
In England, the papers also have two takes. The first is that Hazard is happy at Chelsea but recognizes his now or never moment is approaching. The second is virtually the same as Spain’s second take; if Real Madrid show interest before New Year’s, then Hazard will tell Chelsea goodbye. If they do not, he will start contract talks.
Regardless, there have been a ton of rumors about Hazard over the last few weeks as his form has only gotten better and better. Some are even asking if Hazard is the best player in the world right now. Regardless of all the rumors, Hazard is remaining calm. Because he knows whatever he decides to do, it will be the right decision for him.
If Hazard decides to stay at Chelsea, he will be a legend in Blue. He is already comfortable and knows that the fans adore him. He knows his teammates look up to him and he knows he is a Premier League icon. He is not quite a big fish in a small pond, as Chelsea would be quite a large pond, but he is certainly the biggest fish.
If Hazard decides to go to Real Madrid, he will be achieving a dream that many players have. He will be playing at one of the world’s biggest clubs and would likely be a key man there. But he would not be “the man” there. Hazard would be one of many in a legion of superstars. Some players do fine with that, others miss being the one everyone leaned on. And the fans will have very high expectations. Hazard will not be allowed any off days because just one can prove fatal when the fans’ support is concerned.
So Hazard is stuck between two choices. Stay at Chelsea where he is already comfortable and work to make things even better. Or go to Real Madrid which will be new and exciting but risky at the same time.
Hazard, for now, seems to have passed the decision off to Real Madrid. Real Madrid need to show interest in Hazard for him to make a move happen. Hazard already knows what Chelsea is about and already knows that the Blues want him. It is merely a matter of whether the grass is always greener and if the grass makes a sizable transfer bid.
But even if Real Madrid make a bid or promise to, it does not feel a certainty that Hazard will automatically tell Chelsea his time is up. He seems genuinely happy at Chelsea and seems willing to put in the work for Maurizio Sarri to improve both himself and the club. A Real Madrid bid would give him something to think about, but it does not feel as though it is already a foregone conclusion.
Hazard can have everything he wants at Chelsea. He need merely commit. Real Madrid is tempting but he may quickly find that he misses what he had at Chelsea. Regardless of what he decides, he will need to be comfortable with the decision. Once New Year’s rolls around, there will be no take backs. A choice must be made. And Chelsea will hope that Hazard chooses them.