Not so long ago it seemed that Chelsea and Arsenal held all the cards when it came Lille sensation Eden Hazard’s future. Now things are rather more up in the air thanks to the arrival of a third party, the surprise package who now appear to be in pole position: Tottenham Hotspur. The last few days have seen Spurs clamber over the other London sides in contention and stake their claim on the Belgium ace – but do they have the resources to bring Hazard to White Hart Lane this summer?
Well, believe it or not French Football correspondent has reported that Eden Hazard has already agreed to join Spurs this summer. Really? Then why does Eden seem to be playing the media in an attempt to earn his dream move to one of the top two La Liga sides? Speaking to Belgian TV channel RTBF essentially confirmed that the Spurs link was nothing concrete, but still pleasing:
“[Spurs] is a rumour. It is a club that interests me, of course, because they have great players and a great coach. I have not signed anything yet – it is too early. At the moment I want to focus on Lille.”
I don’t think there’s anything definitive here. These are the usual pleasantries that players exchange when they are linked to new clubs. Something along the lines of ‘Oh yes, Tottenham, great club but I’m under contract at Lille so I ought to stay schtum’.
Besides it has been clear for a while now that the move he really seeks is one to Barcelona or Real Madrid. Just have a look at this set of quotes:
“Spain is perhaps the best place for my style of play, but I think that you have to be at either Barca or Real Madrid to win titles there,”
It strikes me that Hazard has been using the media to cover all his bases. Whilst he favours a move to La Liga, by talking up other clubs he has been able to keep doors open, wedge himself into the public eye and earn himself a bigger wage in the future thanks to the added competition for his signature. Beyond that he’s probably just being polite.
So do Arsenal still have a choice? Ask yourself this question: when was the last time Arsene Wenger got himself embroiled in a massive transfer saga for a player that’s going cost £20m+? That’s right, never. The Arsenal boss will likely look at all the competition for Hazard and wont even bother making a bid, despite making it clear that he admires the young Belgium.
Which leaves Chelsea and Tottenham in the driving seat for his signature – at least in terms of the English clubs. If we’re to believe Vincent Villa’s report, Hazard is interested in Spurs because he wants to be a regular first team player and doesn’t want to be rotated in and out of the squad. Whilst this would be true at Spurs, where Aaron Lennon would probably make way for him, wouldn’t it be equally true at Chelsea?
Isn’t the lack of pace on the wings this season something that the Blues have struggled with? What’s more, Chelsea could probably outbid Spurs, should it come to an all-out bid-off this summer.
Whilst it’s a good time to be a Spurs fan at the moment and this link will come as a pleasant surprise, I also think it’s important to manage expectations. The main priority for Tottenham this January will be keeping hold of their best players – anything else is a bonus.
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The main priority this January? Let’s get through the summer first.
I don’t know why I even bother reading the drivvel on this website. It has got to be THE worst football related site currently covered by newsnow. He has publicly stated as has his father that he wishes to join a club in the premier league, yeah we’d all love to play for Barca or Real but neither of those two will be signing him as they simply do not need him and already have several world class options in his position. He will go to the premier league, IMO to Tottenham because, unlike most footballers and clearly you like this breed to footballer, he isn’t all about money. 5 years ago he would have looked tailor-made for Arsenal. City don’t need him with their embarrassment of riches in attack, Chelsea are on the way down again and United already have 3 wingers as good as him at the club. He will join a side playing good football and challenging for honours which is why i think he will sign for Spurs (all dependant on Redknapp of course)