Eden Hazard believes Europa League trophy would be the perfect goodbye

Eden Hazard has always said that if he were to ever leave Chelsea, he would want to do so on a high note. Winning a European final, the first one he will have ever played in for Chelsea after missing the Europa League final through injury in 2013, would certainly qualify in his mind.

“That would be good. That would be a nice last trophy. I just want to win the trophy, that is it. It does not matter if I score or I do not score. If it is my last game, I hope to bring the trophy.

“It is a European competition so for me, for the club, for the manager, for the fans, it is something important. When you play a final it does not matter whether it is the Champions League, Europa League or League Cup you just want to win, you just want to bring the trophy home and celebrate that.”

“Yes, [it would be the perfect goodbye].”

Hazard readily admits that despite leading the Premier League in assists (15) as well as combined goals and assists (31), it hasn’t been his best season at Chelsea, but winning Europe’s second biggest trophy would go some ways to making up for the (relative) disappointment in the league and the League Cup final.

“In terms of goals and assists, yes this has been the best. But, for me, a good season is not whether I scored 40 goals. I want to win something at the end of the season. I don’t think it is my best season, to be fair. I don’t look on just about statistics. I think I can still improve.

“I think my best was when we won the first league (2014/15) under Jose. The way I was playing for me was the best. I was more consistent.”

In his interview that’s been carried by all the major outlets, including the Telegraph and the Guardian, Hazard even struck a reflective chord as he gazed back across the years to 2012 and all that he’s accomplished during his time in the SW6.

“I had a chance to sign for Man United, Man City, Tottenham but I think I made the right decision. My agent at the time was talking with Arsenal, but not like with Chelsea.

“I spoke with the owner, with (Roberto) Di Matteo and we talked about everything. I had (Didier) Drogba on the phone and Joe Cole told me this was the best club. I was a little bit scared as when I came Didier left and when you have Didier in the team, for sure, you win a trophy.

“But at the end I played with top players and if you look at my seven years at Chelsea we did something amazing together. We won trophies together and I am just happy.”

Well — *sniff* — let’s go out on a high note then, shall we.

“Of course I can put [these distractions] aside. How long do you know me now, guys? You know how I am. I have done it during a full season right now and I have played reasonably well.

“So I stay in that modus, just thinking about football. After the final we will see what happens.”

-Eden Hazard; source: Telegraph