Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Eden Hazard has all the right attributes to wear the “super heavy shirt” of Real Madrid.
The diminutive Chelsea playmaker has been the subject of fervent interest from Los Blancos in previous transfer windows and there are rumours of a summer switch.
Could Real Madrid sign Hazard? Five key things to know…
Hazard will enter the final year of his contract with Chelsea next season.
Talk of a summer move has intensified as the season has progressed, particularly after Maurizio Sarri criticised the forward’s leadership qualities and motivation levels.
Former team-mate and current Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has also backed Hazard to join the club.
Hazard recently stated he has made a decision on his future, with reports suggesting Real is his preferred destination.
No player has completed more dribbles (85) than Hazard in the Premier League this season.
Hazard started the season like a house on fire but – following a tortuous few months under Sarri – his form dipped and his future has now been met with uncertainty, particularly as his contract runs out in June 2020.
Mourinho – a former manager of Hazard and ex-Real Madrid boss – has now come out in support of Hazard’s move to the 13-time European champions, believing he has all the characteristics of an archetypal Madridista.
“Does he have the talent to play for Real Madrid? He does,” said Mourinho, who was covering the EFL Cup Final for sports streaming service DAZN Espana (via Sky Sports).
“Does he have the personality to put on a ‘super-heavy’ shirt and play in front of the fans at the Bernabeu? Yes, he has the personality.
“Regarding Eden’s ambitions… be it playing for Chelsea his whole life or playing for a giant like Real Madrid, I can’t say, because I haven’t spoken to him for a long time.”