Eden Hazard CONFIRMS Chelsea exit after 4-1 Europa League thrashing of Arsenal

Posted Thursday, May 30, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Eden Hazard CONFIRMS Chelsea exit after 4-1 Europa League thrashing of Arsenal
Chelsea star Eden Hazard has admitted he expects to leave the club this summer (Image: GETTY)

EDEN HAZARD has confirmed he expects to leave Chelsea this summer after the 4-1 win over Arsenal in the Europa League final.

The Belgium star impressed in the victory netting twice and when pushed for an answer on his future he eventually revealed it was probably a goodbye.

Hazard has been linked with Real Madrid all season long and he appears to have confirmed he will be making the switch to the Bernabeu.

He explained: “We will decide in a few days and the only target in my mind was to win this final.

“I have made my decision already and now I'm waiting on both clubs.

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

“My dream was to play in the Premier League and I have done that for one of the biggest clubs so maybe now it is the time for a new challenge.”

Hazard also opened up on the win itself against Arsenal and singled out Olivier Giroud's opening goal as the crucial moment.

He said: “It was good. I think both teams were playing with a bit of stress in the first half because it was a final, but when Olivier scored, it was the beginning of a great night.

“We played well and controlled the game and I'm happy to leave this trophy with the boys.

“The manager said to carry on playing football at the break and today we showed our mentality.”

Chelsea took the lead through Giroud before Pedro and Hazard made it 3-0 to the Blues.

Arsenal then pulled one back thanks to a stunning volley from Alex Iwobi but Hazard made sure he had the final say making it 4-1.

Even former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas admitted his emotion at seeing Hazard probably play his last game for the club.

He said: “Even I'm feeling emotional.

“What a performance by Eden Hazard with two goals and it is probably goodbye after seven years of fantastic service to this football club.

“I think every fan in the Premier League will be sad to see him leave.”

Despite Hazard admitting he will leave, Giroud couldn’t hide his delight at winning the Europa League.

He said: “It was an interesting first half but there were no goals. It was a good final and we have been better, more efficient in the second half.

“I am very proud, this team deserved to win something. It was special for me, I am happy for this club. It's my second trophy in two years.

“These two clubs changed my life, they gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League. I didn't want to celebrate against Arsenal but I am so proud to win this trophy with Chelsea.

“When you give me the chance to get game time I always try my best. It was our second target to win the Europa League after finishing in the top four so I feel blessed.”