Hazard: Belgium deserved win at Wembley

Eden Hazard believes Belgium should have defeated England in Saturday’s friendly international at Wembley.

Danny Welbeck’s solitary goal moments before the break sealed a 1-0 win for England, but the Chelsea-bound ace insists his side played the better football and deserved the win.

“We deserved a victory,” Hazard told reporters. “When we had the ball, I think we played better.”

Hazard, whose protracted move to the Blues from Lille was confirmed on Monday, then gave his opinion on how England will fare in Poland and Ukraine, as they prepare to kick off their European campaign against France in Donetsk on June 11.

“It’s hard to judge England, because it was their last game before the Euro’s,” he said.

“It’s a great team. They have arguments, but if France are on a good day, they can do something.

“I saw France against Serbia and they impressed me in the first half. They can win against England, though England also know big games.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/hazard-belgium-deserved-win-at-wembley/95867/

Chelsea confirm Hazard signing

Chelsea have completed the transfer of Eden Hazard from Ligue 1 side Lille, the Premier League club announced on Monday.

The 21-year-old Belgian international has agreed personal terms with the club and passed a medical examination with the reigning Champions League winners.

“Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce we have agreed terms with Lille for the transfer of Eden Hazard,” the west London club said on their website.

“The 21-year-old Belgian international has agreed personal terms with the club and today passed a medical examination.

“He will join the club in July when the players return for pre-season training.”

Having spent the off-season being pursued by a host of major European clubs, Hazard declared that he would join the Blues last week.

Hazard scored 21 goals in 48 appearances for Lille last season, also making 18 assists as the club finished third in Ligue 1.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/chelsea-confirm-hazard-signing/95853/

Blues seal deal for Hazard World Soccer Shop

Lille playmaker Eden Hazard has finally completed his move to Chelsea after passing a medical with the European champions.

Hazard: Moving to Chelsea

Almost a week after announcing he had decided to move to Stamford Bridge, the 21-year-old Belgium international was officially confirmed as a Blues player.

Hazard cost a reported £32million, which would make him the second most expensive player in Chelsea's history behind Fernando Torres.

The club said in a statement on their official website: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce we have agreed terms with Lille for the transfer of Eden Hazard.

"The 21-year-old Belgian international has agreed personal terms with the club and today passed a medical examination.

"He will join the club in July when the players return for pre-season training."

Hazard added: "I'm delighted to finally arrive here - it's a wonderful club and I can't wait to get started."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17757/blues_seal_deal_for_hazard

Chelsea close in on signings World Soccer Shop

Chelsea's summer recruitment drive may have gathered pace on Monday amid reports they were closing in on the signings of Eden Hazard and Hulk.

Hazard: Likely to complete Chelsea move

Belgium playmaker Hazard was said to be preparing for a medical ahead of an expected move from Lille, while it was suggested Porto forward Hulk had agreed terms with the European champions on a four-year contract.

Brazil star Hulk, who has been valued at £38million, has certainly seemed to pave the way for a potential transfer by hinting the time could be right for him to leave Portugal.

Asked what the future held for him, the 25-year-old told Lancenet: "I will always continue to work hard and keep my feet on the ground, regardless of whether I stay at Porto.

"I have won many titles in the past four years at Porto, and I think that I have a great relationship with everyone.

"If the time has come to move on, I'll do so with a good feeling. I have enjoyed a great time here.

"I'm sure that they will understand the motives behind my decision if I leave."

Hulk, who is contracted to Porto until 2016, added: "The club and its fans will forever have a place in my heart.

"I can only thank them for all the affection they've shown me."

Hulk would fill the void left in Chelsea's squad by Champions League hero Didier Drogba, while Hazard would take the place of Salomon Kalou, who is out of contract this summer.

It is almost a week since Hazard announced he had decided to join the Blues, who reportedly beat off competition from both Manchester United and Manchester City by offering the 21-year-old a reported £170,000-a-week, five-year contract.

Chelsea also look certain to attempt to sign a new right-back after allowing Jose Bosingwa to leave, with Ajax star Gregory van der Wiel having long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

Asked if he would be tempted by an offer from the European champions, the Holland international told Sky Sports News: "Yeah, of course. It would be a beautiful club (to join).

"I watch a lot of football - English football, Spanish football - and they did not have the best season but still won the Champions League and that was a great performance."

Van der Wiel insisted he had yet to hear of a firm offer for his services.

He said: "I didn't hear anything from my manager, so they're just rumours, I think, and we will see in the future what comes."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17739/chelsea_close_in_on_signings

Lampard welcomes Hazard to Chelsea

Frank Lampard is excited about Eden Hazard’s transfer to Chelsea even before the move has been confirmed.

Lampard has admitted he has not seen much of the Belgian 21-year-old’s skills on the pitch but is still keen to see him in the blue shirt of Chelsea next season.

“It’s very exciting to hear the news,” Lampard said.

“I haven’t seen so much of him in French football but from everyone I speak to, who does play with him, we’ve been asking about him because he’s been so under the radar for a while, he’s a top player.

“A very, very top young player. If he can bring that youth and hunger and ability into our team, then he’ll be very welcome.”

The Chelsea midfield veteran should get a good look at Hazard on Saturday when England host Belgium at Wembley Stadium.

Lampard believes Belgium will provide the perfect final warm-up match for Euro 2012.

The likes of Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen and Marouanne Fellaini should play for Belgium on Saturday.

“I think they’re a very good team,” Lampard said.

“We were just talking at lunch about their quality players they have now.

“Belgium were not always maybe in recent years seen as one of the top nations but when you think of the quality players playing in England and around Europe at the moment in the team, then they’re going to be a very tough game.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/lampard-welcomes-hazard-to-chelsea/95528/

Hazard denies attitude problem World Soccer Shop

Chelsea-bound Eden Hazard has dismissed concerns about his attitude and revealed he watches videos of other players to improve himself.

Hazard: Heading to Chelsea

The Lille playmaker, who has been courted by Europe's top clubs, revealed on Tuesday that he is to sign for Chelsea this summer despite rival interest from Manchester City and Manchester United.

Now 21, Hazard feels the time is right to leave French football behind and test himself at a higher level.

He admits he is far from the finished article, as he continues to study the games of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but he is confident he has the right attitude to succeed.

He said: "A lot of players watch videos of others. I'm not scared to say I watch videos of Messi and Ronaldo, I try and inspire myself from them.

"Great players inspire you. The best player I played with was Gervi (Gervinho).

"We didn't have the same qualities, but we both tried to make the difference. He taught me some things. He makes the right runs."

Hazard insists he has always given his all in an effort to be the best he possibly can be.

"I said I preferred playing rather than training. People interpreted that as me not wanting to work hard," Hazard added.

"That's false. I work seriously. It's helped me get to where I am now.

"Weight training and working on being explosive helped me gain a few yards of pace.

"Even when I was small I was stocky. Even if people pushed me I managed to stay on my feet."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17436/hazard_denies_attitude_problem

Hazard tipped to be a Prem hit World Soccer Shop

Belgium playmaker Eden Hazard has been backed by his international team-mates to be a major hit in English football.

Hazard: Heading for Chelsea

Hazard looks set to join Chelsea from French side Lille after he wrote on Twitter on Monday evening: "I'm signing for the champion's league winner".

There has been no official confirmation yet from either club about any deal, but reports have suggested the 21-year-old, who has been rated at £32million, has agreed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Despite his Twitter comments, Hazard - likely to feature for his country against England in Saturday's international friendly at Wembley - was giving nothing away to the cameras today at Belgium's training camp in Liege, responding to a question about Chelsea by saying: "I do not speak English".

Other members of the Belgium squad - and ones who already have Premier League experience under their belts - were more forthcoming on the matter, though, with Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen expressing his confidence that Hazard will become a big favourite of English football fans.

Vermaelen told Sky Sports News: "He is a great player with a lot of special qualities.

"I think he is a player people go to the stadiums for.

"People will love him and love watching him playing football, so I think he is a good player for the Premier League."

Asked whether Hazard had sought advice from him about a move, Vermaelen said: "He didn't come to me for any advice. I think he has a lot of people around him, so they can give him good advice about which club he should go to."

Fulham's Mousa Dembele, an attacker like Hazard, feels his compatriot has the attributes to thrive in the English top flight - and any other competition.

"It is a good competition for him," Dembele said.

"I think he can succeed in every team because he is a fantastic player and I think they will like him very much in England.

"He has quality that not a lot of other players have and I think in every competition he goes, he will play very well - including the Premier League, even if it is the best competition in the world."

Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who now faces the prospect of having to keep his fellow countryman at bay in the Premier League, admits Hazard will have a considerable weight of expectation to deal with, but expects to see him shine.

"I think Eden has the qualities and talent to play in England," Mignolet said.

"On his day, he can make the difference for his team.

"It is a big step from Lille to Chelsea and he is going to be under some pressure, especially with the money that has been spent, but I think he is a good player and if he is on his day, he can do a good job for Chelsea."

Hazard, who has been named Ligue 1's player of the year for the past two seasons, has become one of the most sought-after players in the game and has been linked with a host of European giants.

Manchester United and Manchester City looked to be favourites for his signature until Chelsea's surprise European Cup triumph last weekend.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17382/hazard_tipped_to_be_a_prem_hit

Hazard is heading for Chelsea World Soccer Shop

Belgium star Eden Hazard looks set to join Chelsea from Lille after announcing on Twitter: "I'm signing for the Champions League winner."

Hazard: Tweeted on Monday night

On Monday night, Hazard appeared to finally end speculation about his future by suggesting he had decided to sign for Chelsea next season.

The 21-year-old Lille playmaker had long been linked with a move to the Premier League.

Hazard earlier continued to keep fans of several clubs in suspense by posting he had "made up his mind" who he was going to join but declined to name the team in question.

There was no official confirmation on Monday evening from either Chelsea or Lille that a deal had been reached over the signing of Hazard, who has been rated at £32million.

But reports in France suggest the Belgium star has agreed a five-year contract worth as much as £100,000 a week after tax.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17328/hazard_is_heading_for_chelsea