Chelsea star Eden Hazard has put in a big workload for club and country in 2018, and the 27-year-old admits he’s a bit fatigued. Happy where he is and what he is doing, but still fatigued.
After putting in a Golden Ball like performance for Belgium at the World Cup, helping the Red Devils to a third place finish in tournament, Hazard has kept up the elite level form with Chelsea, scoring seven goals this campaign and helping the Blues to an undefeated run in their first dozen games.
Sunday’s goalless draw with Everton saw Eden Hazard play the full 90 minutes for the first time since October 20, a 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The Belgian had missed three straight games due to a back injury.
“Believe me, I am tired, but I think I’m in good condition to play. Last year I got an injury with my ankle for three months. So that’s why I’m fresh now,” Hazard said in an interview with talkSPORT.
“And when you are happy on the pitch you can try some things. I’m just enjoying myself. For the last seven years (sic) with Chelsea, I have always enjoyed myself.”
Hazard’s contract at Chelsea expires in June 2020, and there’s been plenty of speculation that he could move on to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. A lot of that speculation has been invited by Hazard himself, who has often made his mixed feelings and uncertainty about his club future part of the public discourse.
For now though, he’s happy right where he is.
“When I am on the pitch I try to give happiness, first to me and then to the fans who are watching the game,” Eden Hazard added.
“At the moment, we are doing well and that’s why I am doing well. So I am happy to play at the moment.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.