Eden Hazard Stake Interview: Football Insights and Predictions

This October we caught up with Stake Ambassador Eden Hazard, ahead of the upcoming games this Premier League season to discuss all his exclusive insights and predictions.

Check out our exclusive interview below, and get the latest football betting odds when you join Stake Sportsbook.

Chelsea

Chelsea are currently three points off 3rd, are they still title challengers with Arsenal and Manchester City this season?

Even when we're lower down the table, Chelsea are still a tough opponent for the other Premier League teams. So imagine when we're up near the top. We'll be able to compete with everyone this season, and obviously that includes those two sides as well. There are historic clubs that, on paper, will always be difficult to beat, like us or Manchester United. That's why I'll be coming to support the team at the end of October against Man United.

What have you made of Xabi Alonso's start to the season? What do you make of Alonso's 3-4-3 setup?

As I've said before, Xabi Alonso is an excellent coach, above all because he knows the game and the Premier League well. For a team like Chelsea, he was exactly what was needed, a coach who can feel the pressure of a stadium. You know me, any formation suits me. As long as we're playing good football and scoring goals, I'm on board.

Chelsea have conceded two more goals (12) than they've scored (10) in the Premier League, how can Alonso improve the defence? Is it a concern?

I'm sure the coach has the answer to that one. Like I said, as long as we're scoring and winning, the players and the fans will trust him. And you know me, I always preferred to focus on the attacking side to win games for the team.

Joao Pedro has started the season well leading on goals scored and assists for Chelsea - is he Chelsea's most valuable player now, ahead of Cole Palmer?

No, you can't compare them like that. They're both excellent and I'm sure Cole Palmer will have his moment to shine too. But I'm really happy for Joao Pedro, because he's a player who can make the difference and I hope his run continues. What matters is that both of them are at their best, and then we'll be unstoppable.

With a large transfer fee, there were always going to be a lot of eyes on Morgan Rogers - according to you, how has he settled at Chelsea?

Not bad, eh? He's got experience and he knows how to handle that pressure, I wasn't worried about him. He knows the league well, so he's been able to adapt quickly. On top of that, he can score and set up goals, which reminds me of someone, if you see what I mean. I hope he keeps it up.

Chelsea face Liverpool in the EFL Cup this month, the competition could be the club's best chance of silverware, what are your predictions for what will no doubt be a tough game at Anfield?

It's not easy to score at Anfield, but it's possible. You have to play games like that at 100%. Because if we get past the Reds now, we can start a good run. They've got a very strong squad too, with the transfers they made this summer, but I have faith in the team, it'll go well.

Premier League

Which Premier League team has surprised you the most so far?

Easy, it's us! There are plenty of good and bad surprises, but seeing the "smaller" teams come up from the Championship and make a strong start is always nice to see. Then again, you know there are no small teams in the Premier League any more.

Tottenham Hotspur currently sit bottom of the league after being the third biggest spenders in the summer, what do you think they need to do to turn things around? Why can it take time for big signings to settle?

The hardest part is getting out of a bad run. You need one standout performance to get your confidence back. That goes for any team. I also think you have to give all the players time to play together. Although in football, time isn't something you always get.

General Questions

Which player do you think most reminds you of yourself, who's the most Eden Hazard type player right now?

That's a tough question, because there aren't many of them! More seriously, I played in a different era so it's hard to compare. I really enjoy watching players like Cole Palmer, for example. Then there are Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne, who I played with a lot. And I can't wait to see what Mika Godts does. You've seen him, he's not bad! We've got a lot of attacking talent back home, it's great to see.

Who's your favourite to win the Ballon d'Or - can Harry Kane win it or does it belong to a Spanish player?

It's going to be tight. Shame I didn't play this season, haha. There are a lot of players who deserve it. Kane, Mbappe, a PSG player or a Spanish player. It's not an easy choice. It depends a bit on the criteria. Are we judging it on something individual or on the collective? I'm looking forward to finding out either way, I'm very curious.

Filipe Luis once said you used to play Mario Kart just before kick-off, are you still an avid gamer and will you be playing the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6?

Ah, so he's given away my secrets just like that? I really enjoyed it as a way to pass the time, and it was a pretty good game for taking inspiration from, learning how to get past people properly on the pitch or take a shortcut, you know? These days I'm very busy so I play less, but obviously I'll have to try GTA6 at least once.

Your 2017 solo goal vs Arsenal has been voted as Chelsea's best 'Goal of the Season' recently, what do you remember about this goal and how special was it?

Not bad, eh? It's one of my best goals, because it sums up how I liked to play. Beat your man, accelerate, take them on and finish. There was a bit of everything in that goal and it's clearly one of my best memories. There's the one against Liverpool too, which I really like. I did score a few in the end.

Could you ever see yourself become a football pundit or a coach?

Never say never. It could be fun. If I could coach my brother, for example, so he'd have to listen to me for once. For now, I really enjoy teaching football to the little ones, because they're discovering the joy of the game. Then again, with 5 kids I didn't have much choice.

Your former teammate Pedro has just announced his retirement from football at 39, how was it playing with him and what do you make of his career?

Pedro was really something, people don't always realise it. The two of us made a good team. We found each other easily and we scored a few goals together. That's why I had to leave him a little message to congratulate him during his ceremony at the Camp Nou.

Willian recently said that you were the same level as Neymar, what do you think of his comparison?

If Willian says so, Neymar is extraordinary and he's the kind of player fans come to the stadium to watch. So I hope I managed to bring a few people in too. If that's the case, then I've won everything.

Your former manager Jose Mourinho is now in charge at Real Madrid - what did you learn from working with him, and what do you think he brings to a squad full of stars?

Playing under Mourinho makes you want it. He has a passion for football and you can't help but follow him. I'm sure he'll get that group where he wants them, because the players will listen to him. When Jose talks, you don't have a choice anyway.