Eden Hazard hopes for a better future, on and off the pitch

Twelve months ago, Eden Hazard was living the dream. Already a legend at Chelsea, he was about to lead us to yet another title, this time a Europa League at Arsenal’s expense. Adored by the crowd, he was about to depart on the high note he promised us some years ago, during the depths of the Mourinho Season, to go and fulfill a childhood dream of playing for Real Madrid while being coached by his idol, Zinedine Zidane.

What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out, just about everything.

It started not long after the move was complete and announced with great fanfare. A few too many hamburgers in the summer lead to front-page headlines. Even worse, a few too many tackles assaults on his ankles at long last caught up with him, sidelining him for months after what was already a slow start (just 1 goal and 4 assists in 13 games, none before October). A brief return attempt post-winter break ended in yet another ankle injury, and then the world went to shirt with the coronavirus outbreak.

See what happens when you leave The Garden of Eden, Eden!?

Like everybody else, Hazard’s now chilling at home, living the good life with his family and children. In a sense, that’s the only thing he ever wanted — and of course to have a bit of fun on the football pitch.

Like everybody else, he’s going to have to wait a bit in that regard, be that for his club or for his country.

“My first season at Madrid is bad, but not everything is bad. It is an adaptation season. I will be judged in the second. It is up to me to be in good shape next year. The group is good, I have met new people. For me it is a great experience. I still have four years of contract, I hope be in good shape.”

“I had planned to play [in Euro 2020]. We will all have another year in 2021, which is a shame, but my ankle will allow me to return to be in shape. I think it is difficult for the fans because they want to see an international tournament every summer, for them it is a shame. But I also think that there are priorities in life that forced us to cancel. We are like everyone else, I will wait until the next year.”

It’s a small silver lining that this unexpected disruption to our lives will allow Hazard to rest and recover properly. Watch out for them quarantine snacks!

One can only hope we’re all back to smiling and having fun sooner rather than later.

“I’m not saying I can’t catch it, but I’m inside the house, nobody’s coming, we can’t see anyone.”

”I’m a little scared, like everyone else, but I especially have to be careful not to pass it on to others [if I get it], that is the most delicate thing. We have to take care of ourselves. I am concerned about weaker people, who have more problems, yes.”

-Eden Hazard; source: RTBF via Goal

Fortunately, for most of us, this crisis should pass with little more than extreme bouts of boredom, certainly at least as far as our health is concerned.

Stay strong!