After inspiring Chelsea to a 4-1 Europa League final win over Arsenal on Tuesday night, Eden Hazard says: “I think it is a goodbye”.
The Belgian was the heartbeat of the Blues side as they ripped through the Gunners in Baku, scoring two goals after former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud and Pedro had made it 2-0 early in the second half.
Hazard stroked home a 65th-minute penalty and after substitute Alex Iwobi had pulled back a goal for the Gunners, scored Chelsea’s fourth to sour goalkeeper Petr Cech’s final professional match.
The 28-year-old is now expected to make the move to Real Madrid for £100m and could be unveiled as soon as Monday.
IT'S OURS! 🏆
2018-19 @EuropaLeague WINNERS! #UELfinal pic.twitter.com/usfo3zNtLJ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 29, 2019
He says of his future: “We will decide in a few days and the only target in my mind tonight was to win this final.
“But 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.”
After his first season in charge of the Gunners, boss Unai Emery says missing out on Champions League qualification by losing the final will not affect his rebuilding.
‘Hi Chelsea fans, this is for you. Fans in the stadium, fans in London, fans everywhere. I love you.’ 💙 @HazardEden10 #UELfinal pic.twitter.com/9yVa0YFv40
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 29, 2019
The Spaniard says: “Maybe [failure to qualify for the Champions League will affect budgets], but we are a big team.
“At the moment it’s not enough to reach our targets."