Eden Hazard comments on Arsenal star say it all as Chelsea hero returns to Stamford Bridge

Eden Hazard left Chelsea as a club icon. Having led the Blues with his dazzling performances for several years, he captured the hearts of fans at Stamford Bridge. In 2019, the Belgian got his wish as a potential £140million deal was agreed for him to join Real Madrid, largely with the blessing of the Chelsea faithful. However, today he returns to Stamford Bridge for a Champions League quarter-final having failed to live up to expectations in Spain. He has been reduced to a fringe player under Carlo Ancelotti and is aware that despite making another emotional return to the Premier League side he spent seven successful years at, he is unlikely to get on the pitch. The 32-year-old has made just one La Liga start so far this campaign and retired from international duty following Belgium’s exit at the World Cup. Many were surprised that Leandro Trossard, then of Brighton, was left out by Roberto Martinez in favour of a declining Hazard - including the Real Madrid man himself. When asked if he was hurt hearing that supporters felt that his time with his country was coming to an end during the World Cup, Hazard told RTBF: “Not at all. We were talking about the name of Leandro Trossard to replace me, he was having a good season. Even I wondered why I had to play when he had to go on the bench. It’s normal for people to think that. Eden Hazard. Eden Hazard has failed to shine since moving to Real Madrid from Chelsea. “Especially after the game against Egypt, where we don’t play a good game, where I don’t play a good game. Cristiano Ronaldo did not play the last matches of the World Cup with Portugal, and yet it is Cristiano with Portugal, it is even more than Eden with Belgium.” Hazard being surprised that he was picked over Trossard says it all about the dramatic decline that has engulfed the two-time Premier League champion as Chelsea’s talisman. After retiring from international football, Hazard explained that it was difficult for him to watch players such as Trossard not get picked to play despite impressive club performances - while he struggled to get on the pitch at Real Madrid.