West Ham coach willing to offer Eden Hazard trial if ex-Chelsea dribble king makes retirement U-turn
West Ham assistant manager Kevin Nolan is ready to offer Eden Hazard a trial if he reverses his retirement.
The 32-year-old forward became a free agent in the summer after leaving Real Madrid but has since decided to hang up his boots.
Prior to joining Los Blancos the native of La Louvière enjoyed an illustrious period at Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles as well as being named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2014/15.
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Hazard netted 85 goals and created 54 more across 245 appearances. Only four players, all of whom are out-and-out strikers, reached 50 Premier League goals for Chelsea in fewer appearances than Hazard (155 games). He reached the milestone in 29 fewer games than fellow club icon Frank Lampard.
As a creative force, Hazard supplied 595 goalscoring chances for his teammates in the Premier League during his time at Stamford Bridge between August 2012 and May 2019; 208 more than any other Chelsea player.
Furthermore, during his spell in England’s top division Hazard attempted (1441) and completed (909) more dribbles than any other player. This ability subsequently allowed the Belgian to draw more fouls than anyone (638).
It’s that kind of pedigree which Nolan would be keen to see represent the Hammers.
Eden Hazard: one of the greatest to play the game.
Thank you for everything, and good luck in your retirement, @hazardeden10. 💙 pic.twitter.com/deaVYteI3U
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 10, 2023
“I’d have the Hazard of Chelsea at West Ham, yeah,” he told talkSPORT.
“I’m sure if he wanted to come and trial we’d, I mean, I’d certainly be willing to. I don’t know about the gaffer [David Moyes]. But I’d certainly want to trial him!”
“Some of the best years in the Premier League, he’s been part of and some of the best goals,” Nolan added.
“It’s sad that at 32 he’s decided to bow out in all honesty because I believe someone of his calibre of play could play at the top level for plenty more years.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a little bit of a reverse on that in the next six months to a year.”
