Xabi Alonso admits Chelsea struggle to maintain quality over course of full game
Xabi Alonso admits Chelsea struggle to maintain quality over course of full game
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Eden Hazard is set to make another return to Chelsea.
The former Blues favourite has been confirmed as part of a legends squad who will take on rivals Tottenham in a charity friendly at Stamford Bridge on March 27, 2027.
Hazard joins iconic Chelsea captain John Terry and ex-Brazil playmaker Oscar as the three players confirmed so far for a match being held on Easter Weekend to raise money for the Chelsea Foundation.
The Belgian previously returned to the Bridge in June 2024, when he starred and scored for a Rest of the World XI against England in Soccer Aid. He also played for a Chelsea Legends team in a 1-0 loss to Liverpool in October 2025.
One of Chelsea’s most popular and talented players of all time, known particularly for his extensive array of stunning goals, tricks and mazy dribbles, Hazard scored 110 times in 352 total appearances for the club across a seven-year stint between 2012-19 after joining the then Champions League holders from French club Lille in a deal worth £32million.
He won a plethora of major silverware during that time including two Premier League titles, two Europa League crowns, one FA Cup and one League Cup, in addition to reaching the final of the Club World Cup.
Hazard left Chelsea for Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 in a deal worth an initial £89m that with bonuses could have exceeded £150m, winning the Champions League and two LaLiga titles as well as the Copa del Rey, two Spanish Super Cups and the UEFA Super Cup.
Tricks and flicks: Eden Hazard is one of Chelsea’s most skilful players of all time
However, he made only 76 appearances, scoring seven goals, for Los Blancos in a four-year spell that was ravaged by injury before being released 12 months early and later retiring from professional football in October 2023, aged 32.
Hazard’s illustrious career also saw him captain Belgium, for whom he made 126 senior appearances between 2008-22 and netted 33 times, playing at five major tournaments.
"After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer,” Hazard wrote on social media.
"I was able to realise my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world. During my career, I was lucky to meet great managers, coaches and team-mates - thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all.”