Eden
Hazard reflects on a year which saw Chelsea crowned Premier League
champions, while the Belgian also looks ahead to a huge 2018 for club and
country.
With 19 goals for club and country in 2017, Hazard's return to form inspired
Chelsea to league glory in May and ensured Belgium reached next year's World
Cup with consummate ease.
In an interview with Sky Sports' Pat Davison, the 26-year-old picks out his
standout moment from the year, as well as discussing the best individual
performers of 2017.
But who is Hazard tipping for future Ballon d'Or success? Find out below…
Best moment in 2017?
Batsman to the rescue...
"The night we became champions. We didn't play well, it was bad, but we were
strong and at the end this special player scored the winning goal.
"It's this kind of second where you are just happy to be on the pitch. At
the end of the game, when you know you are champions, you just want to enjoy
it with the fans, which is just what we did after the game.
"It was funny, with Diego [Costa] and all the staff, we were happy. The only
problem was that it was away, if it was at Stamford Bridge perhaps we could
have enjoyed it more, but the celebrations were still great.
"In that moment, you realise you've played a fantastic year. To be champions
of England is not easy because it's a hard league.
"When the cameras are there you need to be careful, but when they're not
there you do what you want and enjoy the moment."
Best players in 2017?
The hottest prospect...
"The guy we are talking about every day is Kylian Mbappe. He is very
talented, has skills and scores goals - against big teams too in the
Champions League for Monaco last season. I think he's going to win the
Ballon d'Or soon because he's special.
"I like to watch Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, him [Mbappe], Neymar,
because I love football. I'm like a normal person - I watch football for the
entertainment, so when they are playing, I'm like a kid, like a fan."
And at Chelsea...
"Andreas Christensen is still young and to play in the defence for such a
big club is not easy for a young player. I watched him a lot two years ago
because he was playing with Thorgan [Hazard] at Gladbach - he's very good.
In the future he will be one of the best in the world, hopefully at
Chelsea!"
Player of 2017...
"Easy - N'Golo Kante. Two years ago for Leicester, last year for Chelsea and
still now, he is one of the best midfielders in the world. We are lucky to
have this guy in the team."
On Kevin De Bruyne…
Eden Hazard discusses Manchester City's
"He is the best. I said that two months ago, him and Mo Salah are very good,
they're winning games and scoring goals.
"Kevin is scoring against the big teams, that's always good, and they are
top of the league. For me they are two players who this year are the best.
"For sure he's a friend. When we play against City I want to beat him, but
when the 90 minutes are over he is my friend.
"We have the World Cup to play together this season. I want to win the
league, but it's going to be difficult. If you win the league this year and
bring that confidence to the World Cup, it will be good for Belgium - so
Kevin, you know what to do."
New Year, new Hazard?
"Every year I try to do the best. I want to be the best, and to play with
the best team, so when the New Year is coming, it's my resolution to be the
best and win trophies. That's part of my job.
"We are playing well for now. I want to keep going, to win trophies. The
World Cup with Belgium is something big, but also the Champions League with
Chelsea. I want to go through, I know it's not easy because now we have
Barcelona.
"So we will see. I just want to enjoy like I did this year, and try to give
happiness to the fans."
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