After months of talking, weeks of tweeting, and hours of waiting, Eden Hazard has announced where he will be playing his football next season. Only 12 days ago the Belgian announced at the French Ligue 1 awards evening that he was heading to Manchester. “I am going to Manchester. The decision will be taken soon.”
Things change. He today announced, some three hours after the time he set for his decision, that “I’m signing for the Champions League winner” via his Twitter account.
The way in which Hazard has played this elaborate game of cat and mouse with potential future employers suggests he could be trouble in the future. Personally, as a Manchester City fan, I really didn’t care where he ended up, and in fact am relieved he didn’t choose the Premier League winners.
Somehow he and his agent have managed to manufacture a situation where by he would choose his destination. He could yet still end up with egg on his face if the new Chelsea manager, whoever he may be, decided he doesn’t want Hazard in his team.
But with today’s announcement, it looks almost certain he will be playing at Stamford Bridge next season. He’s certainly given himself a lot to live up to.
Fans of City, United, and Arsenal will no doubt jeer every mistake when he visits their grounds, and there’s no guarantee he will succeed in the higher quality and tougher physically Premier League.
The proposed deal will leave the rejected trio looking for a replacement though. United and Arsenal have long been lacking that creative midfield force, and City boss Roberto Mancini seemingly wants to add support to David Silva in that role.
Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa is rumoured to be interesting England’s top clubs, and he could well end up at one of the three. Real Madrid’s Kaka could be an option, although his time spent on the treatment table, as well as his wage demands may put off any potential suitors.
A player could yet emerge from Euro 2012 as a new star, but otherwise the talent pool looks shallow for top quality attacking midfielders. Bayern Munich’s sparring partners Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery may be available, so that could be an option for a real world class level performer.
City could probably get away without a player of that mould with Silva, Nasri and even Carlos Tevez able to play that role. Manchester United on the other hand desperately need one, and expect Sir Alex Ferguson to head straight over to Germany to snap up the coveted Kagawa.
Arsenal will now be hoping Jack Wilshere gets over his injury problems and can come back with the same potential as he had before, as he could yet still become one of the best players in his position.
It’s certainly going to be an interesting summer, and Hazard and Chelsea may have just kicked it off in style.
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