Thorgan Hazard immediately dismisses Chelsea speculation
Former Chelsea winger Thorgan Hazard has moved quickly to respond to reports that Chelsea may exercise their buy-back option. He’s not interested.
Thorgan Hazard has plainly stated that he is not interested in a return to Chelsea, despite the Blues holding a buy-back clause. Reports claim that this option is only valid until the end of the season and thus speculation is that Chelsea will exercise it.
However, the younger of the Hazard brothers is not even wasting thought on a Stamford Bridge switch.
I signed a contract here because I want to play here. I’m not wasting a single thought on Chelsea, I’m totally focused on my job here. – via TalkSPORT
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You can’t make it much more clearer than that.
Hazard permanently left Chelsea in the summer of 2015, having bounced around various clubs on loan. With a stable base at Borussia Monchengladbach, the forward has developed significantly and is now one of the more exciting talents in the Bundesliga. His performances in this young season have been particularly eye-catching.
Hence, the interest of Chelsea fans has been piqued. They are used to seeing promising players leave West London and excel elsewhere. However, the club were (for once) smart enough to insert a buy-back clause. With this set to expire this season, there are many calls for Chelsea to exercise it.
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The problem is that the Blues will need to convince Hazard to rejoin. The clause only gets you past the negotiation barrier with Gladbach; the player himself must also agree to leave. Having departed Stamford Bridge due to a lack of opportunities, a sugar-sweet deal will need to be tabled if Hazard is to return. The fact that Chelsea are seemingly in a mess, both on the pitch and off it, does not help.
While indicative of his desire to stay in Germany, Hazard’s words also show the desire that so many Chelsea youngsters lack. When players are constantly sent here and there each season, they cannot make a statement like this. They cannot set out their stall and lay out goals.
Instead, they are forced to give the spiel regarding doing their best to impress Chelsea officials.
Chelsea may want to exercise their option for a clearly talented player and given that the agreed fee is only €15 million, it is some coup. However, it appears as though the interest is not mutual.
The Blues have once again shot themselves in the foot.