Newcastle United and Eden Hazard. Two things that really don’t belong togther.
But in the year 2021, anything is seemingly posssible.
The Magpies are now one of the richest clubs in the world, and are shockingly being linked with some of the best players around.
According to ESPN, Real Madrid have contacted Newcastle about the possibility of signing Hazard in January.
The Belgian superstar has struggled in Spain, and Los Blancos are reportedly considering selling him to help fund their moves for Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in 2022.
While Hazard would be more than welcome at St James’ Park, it’s hard to believe he would be interested in joining the Magpies.
But if he did come to Newcastle, he would get the chance to work with a coach who has previously likened him to arguably the greatest player of all time.
Graeme Jones worked with Eden Hazard with Belgium
Current Newcastle interim boss Graeme Jones has worked with some sensational players in his time, mainly from his exploits with Belgium.
The 51-year-old has a good relationship with Roberto Martinez, working with him at Swansea, Wigan, Everton and most recently the Belgian national team.
Jones worked with the Red Devils’ golden generation, and was at the World Cup with them in 2018 where they were one of the favourites.
During the tournament, Jones had some incredible praise for one of their top players, Eden Hazard.
“If you look at the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United, Eden won the trophy on his own for Chelsea that day,” he said in June 2018.
“They won 1-0, Eden won the penalty and then scored it.
“He is at that stage in his career where he has become a match-winner. There aren’t many in international football. Messi is also one of them.”
Three years on and Hazard isn’t the same player he was back then. In 2018, he truly was one of the best in the world and was winning games on his own like Jones said.
With the way he could dribble past players in an instant and create something out of nothing, the comparisons to Messi were completely warranted.
But Hazard isn’t the same player in 2021. He’s been plagued by injuries ever since he moved to Real Madrid in 2019.
That’s not to say he wouldn’t be an incredible signing for Newcastle. He’s more talented than all of our players put together. The issue would be tempting him to St James’ Park in the middle of a relegation battle.
But maybe Jones can have a word with his former colleague, and whisper sweet nothings in his ear about how good he is once again.
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