Chelsea FC center back David Luiz and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek have joined summer addition Christian Pulisic in dropping hints about the future of Eden Hazard. The Belgian superstar is currently with the Chelsea squad as they prepare to take on Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution in a post-season charity match benefitting the fight against AntiSemitism, but it appears this will be his final friendly with the club.
When Hazard takes to the pitch for the Europa League final versus Arsenal in two weeks’ time, it may be his final competitive match with the side as he seems bound for Real Madrid, and his teammates have his blessing.
After the final Premier League fixture last weekend, Hazard told the media that he made his decision weeks ago, informed the club of that decision, and he is awaiting their signing off on it.
In his first interview as a member of Chelsea FC, Pulisic told the official website the players that he’s looking forward to playing with in west London, and he left out Hazard.
Then you have Luiz who mentioned his experience and a cycle being finished (hint hint)
“I want him to stay, of course, he’s a great player and I want to play with the best, but he has to decide,” the Brazilian said to Sky Sports.
“I decided for myself when I left Chelsea for PSG. It was not easy for me but it was a decision I took in the moment because my cycle was finished here. I was trying to feel a different challenge and everybody respected that. So just respect him also. He has to decide for himself.
He is a great player and a great friend of mine. He came here as a little boy and now he is one of the best players in the world. I wish him all the best, I just hope he can stay with us.”
Echoing the sentiments of Luiz, who kind of spoke about Hazard’s Chelsea tenure in the past tense, Loftus-Cheek made comments implying that Hazard’s departure could be imminent.
“Everyone at the club wants him to stay; players, fans, staff and manager included,” Loftus-Cheek said.
“He is such a talent and a player who has contributed to the club massively over the past seven years, the titles he has helped the club win. Everyone has enjoyed watching him play over the past seven years so I’m sure the club thanks him for what he’s done.”
“If he does decide to move on, we wish him all the best.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, also contributes to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.