Bookies now see a move to Real Madrid as more likely than after the World Cup.
Eden Hazard is once again in the news after flirting with Real Madrid in the media. The 27-year-old is in the form of his life, finally delivering consistently in the Premier League and seen to have made the step up into the very top of the world’s elite.
Following an impressive World Cup, the Chelsea star’s intentions at club level came into question as he spoke longingly of playing his football in his “preferred destination”, the Spanish capital. The result of those remarks saw bookies place him at 10/3 to join Real Madrid in the summer window.
Hazard, the current Premier League top-scorer, is now priced by Sky Bet at an even shorter 11/4 to swap Stamford Bridge for the Bernabéu in January. When discussing his future after Chelsea’s win over Southampton on Sunday, the Belgian said, “In my head, sometimes I wake up in the morning and think I want to go,” later commenting, “Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don’t want to lie. It is my dream since I was a kid.”
This certainly would not be an abnormality given the recent history of high profile exits from the Premier League to La Liga. Liverpool fans will not need reminding of the fact that there is a tendency for players considered to have hit the highest level setting their sights on moves to Spain. Luis Suarez and Phillippe Coutinho are of course recent examples, but the likes of Thierry Henry, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, and Cristiano Ronaldo can all be drawn upon.
When quizzed about Thibaut Courtouis’ unpleasant departure during the summer window, having assured fans that he would be staying put at least for the season, Hazard remained adamant that his potential exit would be more amicable. However, if his scintillating form continues, fans will question how long it is before his dream becomes a reality.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “Eden Hazard has looked unplayable so far this season, and there certainly seems to be a correlation between his form and his desire to make the switch to Real Madrid.
The January window isn’t the typical time for these big money transfers, but we saw Coutinho’s move to Barca buck that trend, so it can’t be ruled out.”
