Gary Lineker thinks one former Chelsea star was amazing during his time in the Premier League.
Down the years, Chelsea have had some absolutely world-class players, including the likes of Didier Drogba, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.
In 2019, they sold Hazard to Real Madrid, while two years before that Costa was allowed to join Atletico Madrid. Unfortunately for the two Chelsea icons, none of their moves to the Spanish capital quite worked out.
Who had the better individual season? 🔥
Eden Hazard's 2018/19 stats and Cole Palmer's 2023/24 stats at Chelsea
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/Clive Rose
Gary Lineker gutted with Eden Hazard’s decline at Real Madrid
Former England striker Lineker has been discussing Hazard’s transfer specifically. He was disappointed to see the Belgian fail at the Santiago Bernabeu after watching him thrive in the Premier League.
Speaking about the Premier League’s most expensive exports on The Rest Is Football, Lineker said: “Eden Hazard, Chelsea to Real Madrid, £130m. I mean, it’s such a shame, because he’s a brilliant player in the Premier League, but it didn’t happen for him in Madrid, mainly through the ankle injuries. I mean, we did a special on him, didn’t we, recently? Our Premier League greats series.”
Hazard finished his Premier League career with a total of 85 goals and 54 assists in 245 appearances. During his time in England, he was one of the most deadly wingers in the country.
Eden Hazard of Chelsea
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Right now, Chelsea do not have a wide man like that, which is one reason why they have lost so many games recently.
Pedro Neto is their highest-scoring winger in the league but has only managed to net on five occasions.
There is hope that Neto will be available for the FA Cup final this Saturday after missing Chelsea’s last two games because of injury.
Eden Hazard’s final season at Real Madrid
The 2022/23 campaign was Hazard’s last at Real Madrid and his final in football. The retired Belgium international only made 10 appearances, scoring just one goal.
Hazard was fit for the majority of that season, but at that point, the damage had been done from his past injuries.
Hazard was no longer the player he once was and eventually called it quits, retiring at the age of just 32.
It did not work out for him in Spain, but he will certainly go down as both a Chelsea and Premier League legend.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox