
Eden Hazard Set for Chelsea Return: The King of Stamford Bridge Comes Home
From a Fractious Exit to a Glorious Reunion – Hazard’s Blue Heart Still Beats Strong
It’s been almost five years since Eden Hazard last graced the Stamford Bridge turf in competitive blue. The Belgian magician’s farewell came on a glittering night in Baku, where Chelsea thrashed Arsenal 4–1 in the Europa League final, and Hazard left with two goals, a trophy, and tears in his eyes. That was meant to be the end of his story in West London — the curtain call of a player who had become more than a star. He was a symbol.
Now, at long last, the prodigal son returns. Hazard, 34 and officially retired from football since October 2023, is set for a Chelsea return this weekend — not in the Premier League, but in a charity clash between Chelsea Legends and Liverpool Legends. The event will raise funds for the Chelsea Foundation and the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, and while it may be friendly in name, emotion will run high when Hazard walks out of that famous tunnel again.
Hazard’s Homecoming: A Legend Walks Back Into Blue
When the news broke via The Mirror that Eden Hazard would play again at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans across the world were united in nostalgia. Social media erupted with old clips — his solo run against Arsenal, that thunderbolt versus West Ham, the mazy dribbles that left defenders hopelessly spinning.
He won’t be alone, either. He’ll be surrounded by a cast of familiar faces — John Terry, Petr Čech, Diego Costa, Ramires, and John Obi Mikel — names that defined an era when Chelsea were both ruthless and irresistible. Together, they’ll celebrate the club’s history, but make no mistake: this will be Hazard’s night.
His last official appearance for Chelsea was in that Europa League final, a game where he summed up everything about himself — flair, freedom, fun, and a touch of magic. Then came the move everyone expected: Real Madrid, who paid £100 million ($134m) to bring him to Spain.
That transfer was supposed to be his coronation — the moment the boy who idolised Zinedine Zidane fulfilled his destiny. Instead, it turned into one of football’s great tragedies.
From King of the Bridge to a Nightmare in Madrid

Chelsea v Sunderland – Premier League
When Hazard walked into the Bernabéu in 2019, the story seemed written in gold. The Belgian had conquered England, dazzling Premier League defenders for seven unforgettable seasons. Madrid awaited him like a stage fit for royalty.
But instead of glory, he found pain. Endless injuries, fitness problems, and the weight of expectation conspired against him. Across four long, frustrating years, Hazard made just 76 appearances, scoring seven goals — a shadow of the player who once tormented entire defences by himself.
In an interview with L’Équipe, Hazard reflected honestly on what went wrong:
“I’ve been a Zidane fan since I was a child. The Bernabéu, the white kit — it has a charm that others don’t have. But I don’t think I fit in. Real Madrid is a bit of a ‘swaggering’ club, and I’m not like that.”
He spoke with the candour that always defined him. Madrid, for all its prestige, never felt like home.
“I also didn’t like the way we played compared to other clubs. But it was my dream — I couldn’t finish my career without coming here. I wanted to do things my way, to succeed, but maybe I needed to train more. Then came the injuries… the operation, the pain… every time I came back, it hurt again.”
It was an admission few players would dare make — and it reminded fans exactly why they loved Hazard. Honest, human, flawed, and humble.
By the summer of 2023, both parties had had enough. Madrid terminated his contract early, and within months, Hazard announced his retirement. No farewell match, no final lap of honour. Just silence — until now.
Astonishing Numbers at Chelsea
If Madrid represented regret, Chelsea will always represent joy.
From 2012 to 2019, Hazard was nothing short of electric. Across 352 appearances, he scored 110 goals, delivered 92 assists, and turned defenders into spectators. The statistics still boggle the mind:
- 595 chances created
- 1,441 dribbles attempted
- 909 dribbles completed
- 638 fouls won
No player in the Premier League during that era could match his balance, strength, and creativity combined. He wasn’t just a highlight-reel artist — he was a game-winner.
Who can forget the title-clinching penalty against Crystal Palace in 2015, sealing Mourinho’s third Premier League crown? Or that curling stunner against Tottenham in 2016 — the goal that handed Leicester City their fairytale title?
Hazard didn’t just play football; he performed it. His low centre of gravity, deceptive power, and playful swagger made him unplayable on his day. Defenders doubled up; some tripled up. It didn’t matter.
He danced, shrugged, smiled, and scored. Stamford Bridge adored him for it.
The Managers Who Shaped Him
Despite working under several managers, Hazard’s affection for his Chelsea years has never dimmed.
“I spent seven years there… it was the best memory of my football career,” he told The Standard. “My best season was the second with Mourinho when we won the Premier League and the League Cup. He was the Special One, and after games, seeing the fans happy — that feeling is hard to explain.”
Yet when pressed on which coach got the best version of him, Hazard didn’t hesitate.
“I think my best time was with Antonio Conte,” he admitted. “Training all week was so intense. I used to tell myself, ‘Saturday is my only time to enjoy!’ You remember him — stopping training for tactics, always demanding more. Saturday was freedom. That was when I came alive.”
Under Conte, Hazard evolved from a flair player into a tactical machine — pressing, tracking back, exploding on the counter. It was arguably the peak of his powers, and the year Chelsea stormed to another league title.
A Love That Never Faded
Even after leaving, Hazard never stopped talking about Chelsea with warmth.
While at Madrid, he often spoke privately about missing London — the people, the humour, the Bridge. He would message former teammates, reminisce about matches, and watch games late at night.
The love was mutual. Whenever rumours of a Chelsea return surfaced, fans responded with one word: “Come home.”
And now, in a way, he finally has.
Legends Live Forever – Hazard Lives Forever

Chelsea v Manchester United – The Emirates FA Cup Final
This Saturday, the lights at Stamford Bridge will burn a little brighter. The chants will echo a little louder. “Eden Hazard, Eden Hazard, na-na-na-na” — the song that once rolled around the stands like thunder — will fill the air again.
When Hazard steps onto the pitch, he’ll no longer be the sprinter who left defenders in his wake, but the joy will be the same. For Chelsea supporters, this isn’t just nostalgia — it’s closure.
It’s a chance to thank him properly, to remind him that legends never really leave.
He may have struggled at Madrid. He may have retired early. But at Chelsea, his story is eternal.
Hazard is the player who made people fall in love with football again — the one who smiled when he played, who reminded everyone that sport, at its core, should be fun.
When the whistle blows and he pulls that blue shirt over his head once more, the years will melt away. For one night, the king returns to his castle.
And as the Bridge roars in unison, it will feel just like old times.
Full Circle
Eden Hazard’s journey has come full circle — from a boy with a dream, to a man who conquered England, to a legend coming home.
This isn’t just another charity match; it’s a celebration of artistry, loyalty, and love. Because if football is about moments, Hazard gave Chelsea more than most players ever could.
So when he walks out onto that sacred turf again, surrounded by friends, cheered by thousands, the message will be clear:
Once a Blue, always a Blue.
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