“The Player That used to Run Maurizio Crazy” – Gianfranco Zola Recalls Eden Hazard’s Hilarious Training Antics At Chelsea

Some people just have an innate ability to turn up their socks and perform at the highest level with ease. We talk about people like Lionel Messi and Neymar, who do remarkable things without breaking a sweat. One other person to go under the radar was Eden Hazard. Real Madrid hunted the player down, but the mark he left at Chelsea will make him one of their most talented players. But one quality of his always surprised his former coach at Chelsea, according to his former assistant coach.

The Belgian star recently hung his boots up after losing the thrill of playing. But the star created some splendid memories for the fans and the team. Remembering an incident from the past, Italian legend Gianfranco Zola explains the nonchalant approach of the 32YO.

Eden Hazard’s funny training antics brought to light by Zola

The Belgian winger is very clear about what he wants. Eden Hazard was known for his superb speed and dribbling. But it was difficult for the star to do what bored him. In a podcast with Mikel John Obi, Zola revealed that Hazard used to drive the Italian former Chelsea coach, Maurizio Sarri, ‘crazy.’

Zola stated, “He was the player who used to run Maurizio crazy more than anyone else.” When Maurizio started training, Hazard would turn his head down and say, “Okay, coach,” with a gloomy face, and commence.

Preferring variety and thrill to what he does, recurrent actions hardly seemed doable for the former Real Madrid star. But that did not prove his ineffectiveness. Zola still recalls how Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek rescued Chelsea from dire straits against Cardiff City. Coming from a goal down, Hazard, even though he did not score, played a crucial role in the game.

Sarri even confessed to not understanding the Belgian because of his easy-going mind. Sarri said, “You have to spend two or three months to understand him as a man.” That was Hazard’s only season under the current Lazio coach and his only season as an assistant manager for Chelsea FC. Yet, his move to Real Madrid failed to materialize. 

An early retirement for the Chelsea legend

Eden Hazard did not get enough chances at Real Madrid. The winger left Chelsea on a positive note after he won the man of the match in the Europa League final against rivals Arsenal. After joining Los Blancos for a record $113 million for five years, the player retired from soccer, stating he lost interest.

READ MORE – Media Outlets Banned From Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United Press Conference Before Chelsea Clash

However, being hampered by injuries, the star appeared in 76 matches for four years for the Spanish club. The winger could manage to score just seven goals for them. However, he was a part of their 2022 UEFA Champions League-winning campaign. The star also played an important role in Belgium, reaching the 2018 World Cup semifinal. Although, do you think he could have achieved more?

WATCH THIS STORY: Ten Times Cristiano Ronaldo Scored Four Goals in a Game