Reports suggest Chelsea will receive a significant bonus from Real Madrid for Eden Hazard, despite his retirement.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea is set to receive a £5 million bonus from Real Madrid due to terms agreed upon during Eden Hazard’s transfer. Hazard moved to Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2019 for a fee of £130 million. At the time of his transfer, Hazard was considered one of the top players in the Premier League and global football. However, his career at Real Madrid did not meet expectations as he struggled with numerous injuries and inconsistent form.
Despite his challenges, including the mutual termination of his contract at the beginning of the 2023-24 season and his decision to retire, Real Madrid has reached the UEFA Champions League final. This achievement activates a clause in the transfer deal between Chelsea and Real Madrid, entitling Chelsea to a £5 million bonus. The original transfer agreement included up to £40 million in potential performance-related bonuses that Chelsea could have earned.
Eden Hazard, who announced his retirement last year, had a stellar career at Chelsea from 2012 to 2019. He made 352 appearances for the club, scoring 110 goals and providing 85 assists. During his time with Chelsea, Hazard won two Premier League titles and a Europa League. His performance in the Premier League established him as one of the league’s most formidable players.
However, his tenure at Real Madrid was disappointing. Hazard made only 76 appearances for the Spanish club, scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists. His inability to maintain fitness and form limited his impact on the team.
Internationally, Hazard was a significant player for Belgium’s national team. He earned 126 caps, scored 33 goals, and provided 36 assists. He was a crucial member of Belgium’s ‘golden generation,’ which saw the national team achieve considerable success on the international stage.
In summary, despite Eden Hazard’s premature retirement and the challenges he faced at Real Madrid, Chelsea will benefit financially due to the performance clauses embedded in the initial transfer agreement.