Hazard cannot be kept from Real ‘dream’
Chelsea can forget keeping hold of star man Eden Hazard if Real Madrid eventually come calling for him.
That is the view of his former Belgium team-mate Steven Defour, who played alongside Hazard for nine years for the country’s Red Devils.
Hazard has made a blistering start to the season for Chelsea under their new boss Maurizio Sarri, scoring seven goals, having inspired his country to a bestever third place at the World Cup.
He will hope to carry that form on against Defour’s Burnley this lunchtime, as the Blues aim to keep their unbeaten start going.
The Chelsea No.10 has been the Premier League’s stand-out player so far, and Defour thinks Hazard occupies the position of best of the rest in world football behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
But as far as Defour is concerned, it’s a case of enjoy him in England while you can, if Hazard eventually follows his heart and heads to Madrid.
“Eden is the best in the Premier League and he’s just behind Messi and Ronaldo,” says the 30-year-old Clarets midfielder.
“He is the best of the rest. “Eden and Kevin De Bruyne are the best players Belgium have ever had. But they are very different.
“Kevin is the starting point of all the attacking play and Eden is the finisher.
“When I first saw Eden, I knew he was going to be something special. He was something that Belgium had never had before.
“He’s an offensive player who breaks down defences and rips them apart.
“It would be hard if Eden left the Premier League, but there are always players who are going to step up.
“The Premier League is still the best competition in the world.
“But if you are talking club-wise, Real Madrid and Barcelona are above the Premier League. As a player, you want to play at the highest level.
“If you are an English player playing for a top club in England that might be good for you.
“But since Eden was a little boy, he has dreamt about playing for Real Madrid.
“At some point when you get that opportunity, you might take it.”