Eden Hazard not surprised by Eden Hazard-less Chelsea’s success

Eden Hazard looks to be finally getting up to speed in sunny Spain, with four assists and a goal (his only goal so far) in his last six matches for Real Madrid, and he’s also producing the goods for Belgium, who’ve been ranked No.1 by FIFA since September 2018.

For him, Chelsea is long in the rear view, just as he is for Chelsea. Football moves fast, and there’s no time to dwell on things.

Still, after Belgium’s latest win, a 4-1 triumph in Saint Petersburg over Russia on Saturday, Hazard had some bait thrown his way in the post-match mixed zone, but he navigated the chum with his usual professional cool, saying all the right things about his former employers and teammates.

No, he’s not surprised by Chelsea’s success despite his exit. Of course he thinks Lampard can be great. Obviously his former teammates are wonderful and he cares about their successes. Eden knows how to play the media game, when to say what and to whom, with the appropriate amount of light-hearted banter thrown in as well.

“No, not [surprised] at all. I know Frank as a player, not as a manager, but he’s a great guy. He’s showed already after four months that he can be one of the best managers in the world.

”The good thing is that they are playing with young players, young English players. For England it’s good, for Chelsea it’s good. They are lucky to have young players with quality.

“I don’t know [if the transfer ban has actually been good for Chelsea]. Maybe with two or three more players, they would be first! When I saw them play it’s nice, they all play together.

”I still have good friends there. I follow them all the time. They are winning at the moment so I’m just happy for them.”

-Eden Hazard; source: Sky

Hazard’s departure this summer was the end of an era at Chelsea. When he returns one day, we shall celebrate him, just as we do all of our legends. Until then, we wish him the best of luck, unless of course he ends up playing against us.