Eden Hazard has been backed to make a sensational return to the Premier League. Former Belgium manager Georges Leekens believes the former Chelsea hero still has what it takes to perform at the top level before seeing out his career like Lionel Messi is in America.
Hazard has been without a club since leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season. He had a miserable four-year spell at the Bernabeu, making just 76 appearances in all competitions.
His time in Spain was dogged by injury problems, which has seen reports claim he is close to officially hanging up his boots. But Leekens is firm in his belief that there is still more to come from Hazard.
The winger had a glorious seven years at Chelsea between 2012 and 2019, scoring over 100 goals. Leekens says a return to England should not be ruled out.
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He told the Mirror: “He has had a lot of injuries and you need a certain mental strength in your early 30s to come back from that. It’s a pity for football that a player of his level isn’t playing at the moment.
“But whatever he does next, Eden has to enjoy himself – like Messi is doing in America at the moment. He needs to enjoy it, he needs to feel free.
“But he could play until he is 35 – look at (Luka) Modric, he is 38 and is still playing at the highest level. If a coach can convince him and Eden feels he still has that ambition, then he can continue.
“I think it’s possible that he can come back and possible that he could come back and play in the Premier League. He can still make a difference. I don’t think he’s finished – far from it.”
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Hazard doesn’t turn 33 until next January and is almost three years younger than Messi. Argentina superstar Messi chose to join MLS side Inter Miami this summer after quitting PSG.
Leekens says Hazard could go down a similar route after another spell in England. He added: “I think he is probably looking out of his left eye and seeing what Messi is doing in the MLS. He’s there, he’s scoring goals, he’s happy, he’s there with his family.
“In England, they still love him. A good team in England could build something special around him. But it’s obviously up to him. I don’t think we have seen the last of Eden Hazard as a player. I certainly hope we haven’t.”
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