Eden Hazard's Journey from Chelsea and Premier League Legend to Real Madrid's Worst Signing

Welcome back to Failed Football Transfers, where we dive into moves that didn’t live up to the hype! In this episode, we’re looking at a transfer many consider Real Madrid's worst signing - Eden Hazard. How did one of Belgium’s golden generation era star go from being a Premier League legend to a complete failure at one of the world’s biggest clubs?

Hazard exploded onto the scene as a teenager at Lille. In the 2010-11 season, he played a key role in the French club's domestic double, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists. The following year, he dazzled again with 22 goals and 22 assists. On the back of that incredible form, Hazard made the move to Chelsea in 2012, where he quickly established himself as a Premier League superstar.

At Stamford Bridge, Hazard became a club icon, winning two Premier League titles, two Europa League trophies, as well as the FA Cup and the League Cup. The crafty Belgian winger amassed 110 goals and 92 assists, cementing his legacy as one of the league’s all-time greats. By 2019, Hazard had cemented his status not just as a legend at the West London club but also as one of Premier League's best.

That summer, Real Madrid arrived on scene as they sought Hazard's services and the dream move finally happened. Los Blancos splashed €115m million to sign the Belgian superstar, making him the most expensive signing in the club's history, and the expectations were sky-high. Madrid fans hoped Hazard would fill the void left by Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus the previous year, and his dazzling performances at Chelsea suggested he was up for the challenge.

But things didn’t go according to plan. Injuries plagued Hazard’s first season. A hamstring injury and a fractured ankle limited him to just 22 appearances, with only one goal and seven assists. His second season wasn’t much better, as he struggled with recurring injuries. Across four years, Hazard played just 76 games for Madrid, scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists - a huge drop-off from his Chelsea days.

Injuries weren’t the only issue. Hazard’s fitness was often questioned, with reports of him arriving to pre-season out of shape. The pressure of living up to the legendary number 7 jersey once worn by Ronaldo only compounded the struggles. While younger players like Vinícius Junior and Rodrygo took center stage, Hazard became a fringe player, unable to find his rhythm. Fans who once cheered his arrival grew disillusioned as his price tag seemed like a burden he couldn’t shake off.

By the summer of 2023, Madrid had seen enough and terminated his contract early. Shortly after, Hazard announced his retirement from professional football in October 2023. A sad end to what was supposed to be a fairytale move for both club and player. Eden Hazard’s transfer to Real Madrid will go down as one of the biggest disappointments in recent football history. From an injury-riddled spell to never quite fitting in at the Bernabeu, his time in Spain is remembered for what could have been.

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