Chelsea icon and current Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard has promised Carlo Ancelotti that he will work and prepare hard to show his doubters that he's not finished as the Blues look at alternative attacking options amid initial return claims.
Hazard, 31, gained a total of only 802 minutes in all competitions last season for the LA Liga and Champions League winners from the 21 games that the Belgian featured in during the 2021/22 campaign. Despite playing no minutes of the Champions League final success in Paris against Liverpool, as well as receiving his first-ever medal of this calibre in this competition, he earned his beloved former club a handsome transfer windfall.
However, with the winger now on international duty ahead of the Nations League kick-off, he now has a big decision on his hands regarding what now happens with his own future. It was initially expected that Chelsea's former number 11 would look for a Premier League return this summer amid Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United rumours but if his own words are anything to go by, then it looks as though unlike his good friend Romelu Lukaku, he will be staying put in Spain for at least one more season as a big promise has been made on his behalf.
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Reflecting on his own future during the international break, he told the Belgian media: "I will prepare myself physically and mentally for next season. It's up to me to show that I am not finished."
He added: "Eden Hazard will be back next season. There is no doubt about that. I never wanted to leave Real Madrid because I know what I can contribute to the club."
There were initial rumours that Chelsea could make a loan return somewhat possible but these talks were spearheaded by now-former owner Roman Abramovich who is a thing of the past after Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital opened a new era after completing their takeover earlier this week from the sanctioned Russian oligarch. Abramovich was well known to have a great bond and affinity to Hazard, so now he is gone, does that bond between the player and the new owners exist?
Well, now knowing Boehly's personal views on the 31-year-old and only judging him by his actions will be key and the fact that Hazard hasn't been solidly linked to making a move back this summer indicates that he and Thomas Tuchel's interests are currently elsewhere.
It is already known that the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Ousmane Dembélé amongst other targets are higher up on the priority list meaning that as it stands and judging by his own words, Hazard will not be coming back to Stamford Bridge for his second bout anytime soon.
Chelsea fans- do you want to see the new ownership bring back Eden Hazard or would you prefer to see Todd Boehly sign someone like a Christopher Nkunku or Ousmane Dembélé instead? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
