9 months ago
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Eden Hazard has revealed that Didier Drogba's winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final convinced him to join the club.
Following an excellent breakthrough spell at Lille, the then-21-year-old Belgian signed for the Blues in a £32million deal.
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Hazard 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 League Cup.
Prior to his switch to west London, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham also held a strong interest and even held talks to sign him.
And Hazard's career could have looked very different if it wasn't for Chelsea icon Drogba and his winning spot-kick against Bayern Munich.
Speaking on how is departure from Lille unfolded on The Obi One Podcast, he said: "I had a chat with Sir Alex Ferguson. I spoke with Harry Redknapp, at that time he was the manager in Tottenham. I went to Manchester to see the Man City training ground.
"So I had a few options, but not Chelsea because the 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 like sixth or seventh, I don't remember.
"I knew I was leaving France to go to the Premier League but not Chelsea, because I wanted to play in the Champions League, you know?
"So that move came because you won the Champions League."
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Mikel then asked if Hazard would not have signed for Chelsea if they didn't win the Champions League, and he replied: "Ah my friend, Chelsea was like far away. That's why I say thank you to Drogba!"
Drogba's penalty in the Champions League final shootout saw Chelsea win their first ever title in the competition.
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Just a few days later, Hazard took to Twitter and announced his next move by saying: "I'm signing for the Champions League winner."
He went on to make 352 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 110 goals and assisting another 92.
Hazard is dubbed as one of the most talented players to have played for the club and won a host of individual honours during his seven-year stint.
The former Belgian international left Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2019 but various injuries affected his time there and he retired in October 2023.
