Eden Hazard could join Real Madrid with Chelsea icon Michael Essien fearing Belgian star will pack his bags next summer
Hazard has been strongly linked with big-money move to Santiago Bernabeu after constantly praising Zinedine Zidane this season
CHELSEA icon Michael Essien fears Eden Hazard will pack his bags for Real Madrid next summer.
Hazard, who has finished 19th in this year’s Ballon d’Or, has been strongly linked with a big-money move to the Spanish giants.
The Belgian has been in superb form for Chelsea this season and continues to fan the flames by talking up Bernabeu boss Zinedine Zidane.
Real could be in the market for a new attacker at the end of the season as doubts linger over the futures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Hazard has previously spoken of his desire to be crowned the world’s best player, and knows his chances of winning it will improve tenfold in the Spanish capital.
Essien hopes the 26-year-old stays at Stamford Bridge, but concedes there’s a high chance he will quit London to become a Galactico.
Essien told Goal: “He could go to Real Madrid to win the Ballon d’Or easier. When we talk about Eden, he is such a good player.
“He’s very quick, very good on the ball. He’s very strong, he may be little but he is strong, trust me! It is hard to get the ball off him.
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“He’s such a good player and we’re happy to have him at Chelsea but I’d understand why Madrid would be looking at him.
“He is proving it week-in, week-out. At the moment he is the most important player [at Chelsea].
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“When you have Hazard, he can always do something. He can always create something to do something with the ball.
“He makes goals for himself or others. He has that magic touch. I think that Chelsea need to renew his contract.
“You don’t want your best players to leave and we need him at the club. I think he is only motivated about playing football.
“He just enjoys playing football. It would take a lot of money to replace him [at Chelsea] but I hope that they can tie him down for a long time.”
