Eden Hazard: Fabrizio Romano reveals Chelsea chances of dreamy reunion amid retirement theory
Eden Hazard pictured before Chelsea match in February 2019
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed there is a ‘concrete’ chance Eden Hazard will retire from football after his Real Madrid exit, while the journalist has also shut down claims the winger might be heading back to Chelsea.
Hazard established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League during his time at Chelsea. He made 352 appearances for the Blues, notching 110 goals and picking up the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in 2014-15, among several other individual achievements.
While Hazard was at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, one FA Cup and one League Cup.
The Belgian left Chelsea to secure his dream move to Real Madrid in summer 2019. But the transfer did not work out as injury and fitness problems limited him to just 76 appearances in four seasons. And even when Hazard was fit to play, he failed to replicate his Chelsea form.
Hazard and Madrid opted to end his contract a year early in the summer, meaning he is now a free agent.
He has been offered contracts by clubs in France, Belgium and Saudi Arabia but has so far rejected all of them. This has led to rumours the 32-year-old might retire.
During an interview with CaughtOffside, Romano has stated that retirement is definitely an option for Hazard. But there is no chance he will be reuniting with Chelsea, despite reports claiming that to be the case.
“There’s a lot being speculated about Eden Hazard, who remains a free agent, but at the moment I’m not aware of anything concrete,” Romano said. “There are a lot of rumours, but nothing advanced, because at the moment Hazard is still discussing with his family and those close to him about retirement.
Eden Hazard unlikely to secure Chelsea return – Fabrizio Romano
“Retirement for Hazard is a concrete possibility, but it’s not a final decision yet, and I think when we talk about a big decision like this for an important player like Hazard, I like to be respectful. It’s the player who has to decide and communicate, not for me or other journalists in general.
“For sure he’s considering retirement, but let’s see what he will decide, and I can say that all the rumours about Belgian clubs, or a return to Chelsea or other clubs, none of this was concrete or true.”
While Hazard is no longer at his peak, Chelsea fans still would have loved to see him play for their club once again. He is a modern-day hero in West London, having been one of the most exciting players in England for several years.
Instead, it looks like Hazard will either hang up his boots or remain abroad by joining a different team.
