Eden Hazard is incessantly linked with a move to Real Madrid, but every time he’s asked about the topic he gives the same answer. The Belgian always maintains that he’s happy right where he is at Chelsea, but also consistently leaves a tiny bit of wiggle room with the industry standard “you never know” kind of talk.
Everyone has an opinion of course on what the stellar Blues forward should do with his future, with the player’s father often making headlines whenever he gives his take.
Hazard is often praised for his superlative talents and abilities, which then naturally invites debate about whether or not he could realize an even higher ceiling elsewhere. The next logical debate question is then of course, where is that elsewhere? Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas says that elsewhere should be Barcelona, not Real Madrid.
“Everybody’s probably talking about the prospect of Real Madrid more than Barcelona, but for me he’s more of a Barcelona-type player. So I suppose it is (an audition),” Nicholas said of Chelsea’s upcoming Champions League knockout round tie with Barca.
“I feel that he’s so comfortable in his skin at the moment that he won’t feel it that way, he’ll just want to go out and do his best.”
The former Arsenal, Celtic and Scottish national team star maintains that Eden Hazard will be “auditioning” when the Catalan Club come to Stamford Bridge Tuesday night for their round of 16 clash. The Blues away tie will be March 14 at the Camp Nou.
Nicholas says that the 2014-15 PFA Player of the year will be the key to Chelsea reaching the UCL quarter-finals.
“Hazard is the key to this if Chelsea can progress, it’s all about him,” the Sky pundit added.
For what it’s worth, Eden Hazard has publicly gushed over Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, so perhaps that gives Los Blancos an advantage over Barcelona in the race to acquire him; if ever is to move.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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