Eden Hazard: I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson and Harry Redknapp but one moment at Chelsea changed everything
Eden Hazard has revealed that Didier Drogba's winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final convinced him to join the club.
After an excellent period at Lille, the Belgian, who was 21 years old at the time, signed for the Blues in a £32m deal.
Danger He established himself as a club legend at Stamford Bridge by winning two Premier League titles and two Europa Leagues, as well as the FA Cup and the League Cup.
Prior to his move to west London, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham also showed great interest and even held talks to sign him.
And Hazard's career could have been very different if it wasn't for the Chelsea icon. Drug and his winning penalty against Bayern Munich.
Talking about how the departure from Lille unfolded The Obi One Podcast“I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson. I spoke to Harry Redknapp, who was manager of Tottenham at the time. I went to Manchester to see Manchester City's training ground.
“So I had some options, but not Chelsea because last year in Lille, Chelsea in the league was not that good.
“You know, when you (John Obi Mikel) won the Champions League, in the league you were sixth or seventh, I don't remember.
“I knew I would leave France to go to the Premier League, but not to Chelsea, because I wanted to play in the Champions League, you know?
“So that move came about because you won the Champions League.”
3
3
Mikel then asked if Hazard wouldn't have signed for Chelsea if they hadn't won the Champions League, and replied: “Ah man, Chelsea were like too far away. That's why I thank Drogba!”
Drogba's penalty in the shootout of the Champions League final allowed Chelsea to win their first title in the competition.
A few days later, Hazard took to Twitter and announced his next move saying: “I'm signing for the winner of the Champions League.”
He went on to make 352 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 110 goals and assisting another 92.
Hazard is considered one of the most talented players to have played for the club and won a number of individual honors during his seven years.
The former Belgian international left Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2019 but several injuries affected his time there and retired in October 2023.
