Gianfranco Zola has hailed Eden Hazard as Chelsea’s greatest foreign import.
Assistant coach Zola, who scored 80 goals in 312 Chelsea appearances between 1996 and 2003, needed no time to put Hazard top of the Stamford Bridge pile for overseas recruits.
2
Chelsea No 2 Gianfranco Zola was a huge hit during his playing days and holds legendary status among supporters
Ivory Coast hitman Didier Drogba and Zola would doubtless be at the forefront of fans’ minds when drawing up a list of Chelsea’s all-time great imports.
But Zola is adamant Hazard must top that chart, while admitting he still holds out hope the Belgium playmaker will not depart for Real Madrid this summer.
“Eden Hazard’s definitely at the very top,” said Zola, ranking the 28-year-old as Chelsea’s best-ever overseas signing.
“He’s such an unbelievable player. The more I’ve spent time with him the more I appreciate him as a player, but also as a boy.
“He’s been great. I would love to have him for longer.
2
However, Eden Hazard is Chelsea’s greatest foreign import, according to Zola
“What we are trying to do here perfectly suits him. It’s no coincidence that he’s having his best season.
“I don’t want to take anything away from him and what he has achieved. But certainly the way we play helps him a lot.”
Madrid are expected to lure Hazard away from Chelsea this summer, with the Belgium star’s current Stamford Bridge deal expiring at the end of next season.
Chelsea continue to hold out for £100m however, with Real boss Zinedine Zidane keen to add the livewire forward to his Bernabeu rebuilding project.
Hazard has 85 goals and 81 assists from his 241 Premier League appearances for Chelsea since his 2012 debut.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Napoli vs Arsenal (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest (Friday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Leeds vs Wigan (Friday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Sunderland vs Doncaster (Friday, 5:15pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Newcastle vs Southampton (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Accrington Stanley vs Luton (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Everton vs Manchester United (Sunday, 1:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Cardiff vs Liverpool (Sunday, 4pm) – talkSPORT
Despite continuing to hope the Belgian will stay at Chelsea next term, Zola insisted the Blues can still pull off a strong end to the campaign by winning the Europa League and finishing fourth in the Premier League.
“Of course we hope that Hazard will stay with us because he’s such an important player for us,” said Zola.
“There’s a lot of talking around this team, I realise that.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
“But we as coaches have to make sure we are not distracted by all of that.
“We need to maintain focus, because this year a lot of times I heard talk that it’s been a bad season.
“But if we can reach the final and maybe win the Europa League and end up fourth in the Premier League, I think it could be a remarkable season.”
Dimitar Berbatov has one failure from his time at Manchester United… trying to keep Phil Jones' unusual facial expressions under control. Berbatov, who spent four seasons at Old Trafford
Phil Jones News, Stats, Photos - England - Football - MSN Sport
Ross Barkley: Everton and Football Association launch investigation after object thrown at Chelsea man during Premier League clash Former Toffee Barkley was playing his first match at Goodison
Ross Barkley: Everton and Football Association launch
hollywoodadviser.com/ross-barkley-everton-and-football-association-launch-investigation-after-object-thrown-at-chelsea-man-during-premier-league-clash/
INCIDENT Former Toffee Barkley was playing his first match at Goodison Park since joining Chelsea in January 2018 Everton have launched in an investigation after an object was allegedly thrown onto the pitch during their Premier League win over Chelsea on Sunday.
~ Ross Barkley: Everton and Football Association launch
Virgil van Dijk is ready to commit his long-term future to Liverpool and sign a new contract with the club. Despite having four years remaining on his current deal, the Dutch defender has told the Anfield hierarchy he is ready to sign an extension after helping the club to their sixth European Cup with victory over Tottenham in the Champions League final.
Virgil van Dijk 'keen to commit' future to Liverpool by
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs at least two years to turn Manchester United into title contenders, Gary Neville has claimed. Writing in his column for Sky Sports, the former Red Devil started by
Manchester United transfer news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals
Brighton appoint Graham Potter as manager on four-year deal. has joined Brighton after a season in charge of Swansea the appointment of Graham Potter as the new head coach of the football
7 Players Graham Potter Could Sign for Brighton & Hove Albion
For the primary time, NikeConnect know how will likely be featured in a soccer jersey with the disclosing of the new third kit for Chelsea FC and its 2018 19 season. div style text align center
Transfer news and football gossip: Manchester United to sell
Sunderland A.F.C. fan and South Shields manager Jack Tinn joined Portsmouth as new manager on 1 May 1927, replacing John McCartney who had resigned due to ill health. Portsmouth's debut season in the 1927-28 First Division was a struggle, finishing one point and one place above relegation.
ESPN: Serving fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
Eden Hazard contract latest: Will Chelsea star REJECT new deal amid Real Madrid interest? EDEN HAZARD has been linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer but what is the latest on his
Eden Hazard 'considering transfer request' in bid to force
Pundit warns Manchester United over Paul Pogba captaincy after David Beckham comparison. Man Utd and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will appoint a new captain next season and the World Cup winner has been
Transfer news and football gossip: Hazard could join Real Madrid on Monday, Lukaku told he can leave Man United, Liverpool 'make contact' with £70m Pepe by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 30 May talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Thursday's papers and online…
Transfer news, rumours LIVE: Real Madrid agree Hazard deal
May 17, 2019 · Nearly every year, at least one player from a relegated squad becomes a difference maker on another Premier League side. Bargain buys: Relegated players for Premier League clubs to target
Still waiting for these Premier League summer transfers to
Suarez celebrating Barcelona goal against former side Liverpool causes controversy they definitely thought if Luis Suarez scored against them he wouldn't celebrate. Liverpool fans turn
Liverpool fans chant 'f*** off, Suarez' and 'cheat' to Luis
Matthijs De Ligt will NOT be moving to Manchester United this summer, according to reports.Rumours about the Ajax captain moving to Old Manchester United transfer news: Red Devils OUT of the race to sign Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt - reports - CHOCHILINO
Manchester United transfer news: Red Devils OUT of the race
Newcastle United transfer news: Mike Ashley 'reluctant' to
No comments:
Post a Comment