Eden Hazard to Real Madrid? The Chelsea star’s ‘goodbye’ quotes – in full

Eden Hazard has issued the clearest statement yet indicating he will leave Chelsea this summer, telling reporters after the clubs’ Europa League final victory over Arsenal that he thought “it’s a goodbye”.

The Belgian playmaker has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid as his contract nears expiry in the summer of 2020, and is widely expected to depart the London club for Spain at the end of this season.

Read more: Chelsea vs Arsenal: Europa League final player ratings

Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Hazard, who scored two goals and assisted one in the 4-1 victory, fielded a question on his future.

Statement

“[The second half] was good. I think in the first half, both teams had a bit of stress because the final is something big for both teams. But when Ollie [Giroud] scored I think it was the beginning of a great night. We played well second half, they had a few chances at the end when the score was 4-1 but we controlled the game. I’m just happy to lift this trophy with the boys.”

“[Our aim in the second half] was just to keep playing, to try to play our football what we did in the second half. We know that we have the players when we want to play all together, when we want to fight all together. Today we showed this mentality and I think for the fans, for the boys, for the manager, for the staff, it’s a great trophy to win.”

“I don’t know yet [where the future lies]. I think I will decide in a few days. My target today was to win the trophy, that’s it, that was the only thing in my mind.”

“I’ve thought [through] my decision already.”

"I think it is a goodbye, but in football you never know."

"Now maybe it is time for a new challenge."

Eden Hazard reveals a decision HAS been made on his Chelsea future… pic.twitter.com/fqNNeIhCxP

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 29, 2019

Read more: Eden Hazard gives Chelsea a final reminder of his irreplaceable talent

When pressed on what he meant by his ‘decision’, Hazard replied: “Yeah, I say that two weeks ago, now it depends on the club so I’m just waiting on that.”

He was asked whether it depended on Chelsea, or another club. “Both clubs,” Hazard replied. “I’m just waiting, like you wait, like the fans wait, so we will see and you will know in a couple of days.”

“I think it’s a goodbye, but in football you never know. My dream was to play in the Premier League and I did this for seven years in one of the biggest clubs in the world. So now maybe it’s time for a new challenge.”

Reaction

Hazard’s former Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas told BT Sport after the match: “Unfortunately, and I hate to say it, I don’t think Chelsea can give him, at this right moment, what Eden deserves. In terms of winning everything and talking about the Ballon d’Or.”

“I know he says he doesn’t really mind about it but deep down, believe me, he does. And he really wants to win a Champions League.

“And I think at Chelsea, right now, there is a ceiling for him. He can go so much higher, past this ceiling, at a club like Real Madrid. Because these clubs – Real Madrid, Barcelona, now Manchester City, Bayern Munich – they always come back. They can have terrible seasons, like at Real Madrid, but they will be back. No doubt about it.”

Follow us on Twitter: @iPaperSport

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said: “What did they pay for him? £30m? If he goes for £110m, providing a cupboard full of trophies for his football club as well, I think he has to go with the blessing of everybody at Chelsea.”