{"id":144098,"date":"2023-10-10T16:15:31","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T16:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebritywshow.com\/?p=144098"},"modified":"2023-10-10T16:15:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T16:15:31","slug":"hazard-was-dubbed-laziest-chelsea-team-mate-but-he-didnt-care-his-skill-was-matched-only-by-his-carefree-attitude-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebritywshow.com\/sport\/hazard-was-dubbed-laziest-chelsea-team-mate-but-he-didnt-care-his-skill-was-matched-only-by-his-carefree-attitude-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Hazard was dubbed 'laziest' Chelsea team-mate but he didn't care – his skill was matched only by his carefree attitude | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
CHELSEA fans are feeling blue this morning after Eden Hazard retired from the beautiful game.<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the most naturally gifted players to ever grace English football, the 32-year-old\u2019s career tragically fizzled out after leaving Real Madrid and failing to find a new club.<\/p>\n Equally adept with both feet, Hazard was a true delight to watch in action.<\/p>\n Combining the balance of Lionel Messi, the speed of Thierry Henry and the poise of George Best, it will be a long time before we witness such a refreshing talent in the Premier League.<\/p>\n Hazard was already a big cheese before his bargain \u00a332million Chelsea move in 2012, having led French side Lille to their first title in 57 years.<\/p>\n Hopes were high at Stamford Bridge following the previous season\u2019s historic Champions League success.<\/p>\n And Hazard delivered the goods in sumptuous style, scoring 110 goals in 352 games.<\/p>\n Like Claude Makelele as an anchorman, he redefined what it meant to be a complete winger.<\/p>\n He could do it all, from dribbling with the ball like it was glued to his feet, to curling home a top corner screamer from outside the box.<\/p>\n Not since the days of Gianfranco Zola had someone so naturally blessed in pure footballing talent graced the Stamford Bridge turf.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS<\/strong><\/p>\n His genius with the ball saw Hazard deservedly land a plethora of trophies including two titles, two Europa Leagues and FA Cup.<\/p>\n And his role in 2016\u2019s title-denying Battle of the Bridge against Tottenham will go down as one of the all-time great Chelsea performances.<\/p>\n But it was his relatability which struck a real chord with fans.<\/p>\n Hazard shunned the crazy diets and intense gym sessions that many rivals were obsessed with.<\/p>\n Instead, the burger-munching Belgian was content with scheduled training sessions before playing family man with his beloved wife and children at home.<\/p>\n Hazard\u2019s carefree attitude saw him labelled \u201clazy\u201d in some quarters, with former boss Jose Mourinho a critic.<\/p>\n But all it meant for fans was that his natural talent shined through even stronger on the field, with every twist and turn full of grace and grandeur.<\/p>\n It also took little away from his role as a natural dressing room leader.<\/p>\n Hazard was the constant talisman for team-mates across several great Chelsea sides, each one drawn to his charisma, charm and lack of ego.<\/p>\n Even when it was no secret that Real Madrid wanted him in 2019, Hazard still led from the front with two goals in the 4-1 Europa League final win over Arsenal.<\/p>\n Sadly for the ace, his move to the Bernabeu would spell the beginning of the end.<\/p>\n Having been a player who would feature in almost every league match at Chelsea, Hazard immediately encountered fitness and injury issues at Real.<\/p>\n The Spanish giants would never get to enjoy the sublime highs that Hazard brought to fans in London.<\/p>\n But he still had one more gift for Chelsea, securing them a \u00a3142million fee thanks to Real\u2019s domestic and European successes.<\/p>\n All in all, Hazard was a player who encapsulated everything great about the game.<\/p>\n When talking about an all-time greatest Premier League XI, Hazard must be involved.<\/p>\n He became synonymous with fun, joyous and successful football \u2014 something the new Chelsea hierarchy are striving towards.<\/p>\n And Todd Boehly will likely need to spend another billion to find a player with half as much talent as the legendary Belgian.<\/p>\n
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