Eden Hazard: Joe Cole said Chelsea was the right club for me

Eden Hazard has revealed that Joe Cole’s advice played a part in his decision to favour a move to Chelsea ahead of other Premier League clubs.

Hazard was finally confirmed as a Chelsea player on Monday following months of speculation over the Belgium playmaker’s future, in a deal reported to be worth around £32m.

The 21-year-old said he spoke to former Blues midfielder and Lille team-mate Cole last season as Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea battled for his signature.

“I spoke to Joe Cole and what he said above all was that Chelsea was the right club for me,” Hazard told Chelsea’s website.

“As somebody who loves the club himself, he said he could really see me in the shirt, so when I see him next I’ll tell him he was right.”

Hazard admitted that Chelsea’s dramatic run to Champions League glory under Roberto Di Matteo ended up also being a significant factor in his choice to move to west London.

He continued: “It’s true that initially there were a number of clubs in for me, but when Chelsea won the Champions League I thought ‘why not?’

“It was a complicated decision with lots of different factors involved, but the fact that they have great players and are European champions, also coming to London, I know people here already and there are a few French speakers, I think I have made the right decision.

“I watched the Champions League final like everybody else. It puts a bit more pressure on the players who are already here but they’re used to it, and I think I’m pretty good at coping under pressure.”

Hazard, who scored 21 goals in 48 games and made 18 assists for Lille last season, is already targeting silverware at his new club next season.

“I can’t wait to get started and for the season to start so I can meet my new team-mates, the supporters and all the people who are involved,” he said.

“I want to play as many games as possible, score as many goals as possible and win a place in the hearts of the supporters.

“Ultimately, for a player it’s all about winning things – I want to win as many trophies as possible, which is another reason why I came here as Chelsea have been winning things for a long time now, and I hope to win many more during my time here.”

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