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Rediff.com  » Sports » Sports shorts: Chelsea's Hazard eyeing a move to Real Madrid?

Sports shorts: Chelsea's Hazard eyeing a move to Real Madrid?

Last updated on: November 10, 2017 21:37 IST
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Eden Hazard

IMAGE: Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard says it "would be a dream" to play under French great and current Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane in the future.

Hazard has been instrumental to Chelsea's success since joining the club in 2012, winning two Premier League titles, a League Cup and the Europa League, and has scored three goals and provided four assists in 13 appearances this season.

 

Media reports have repeatedly linked the Belgian with the Spanish champions and the 26-year-old did not rule out a future move to Real Madrid.

"Everyone knows the respect I have for Zidane as a player, but also as a manager. He was my idol," Hazard told Belgian TV channel RTL. "I do not know what will happen in the future. However, for sure, to play under Zidane would be a dream.

"I am enjoying life at Chelsea. I still have a lot of things to achieve with them. I am focused on playing for Chelsea."

Hazard said that he would also enjoy a reunion with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who is currently at league rivals Manchester United.

"Of course (I would enjoy working with Mourinho again). I like facing him also as an opponent. If we were to work together in the future it would be with pleasure," Hazard said.

Hazard has been called up for Belgium's friendlies against Mexico and Japan and will reunite with Chelsea, who are fourth in the league, ahead of their trip to West Bromwich Albion on November 18.

Ghosal wins JSW-CCI International Squash title

Saurav Ghosal

IMAGE: India's top squash player Saurav Ghosal. Photograph: Saurav Ghosal/Twitter

India's top squash player Saurav Ghosal outclassed Swiss rival Nicolas Mueller to win the title in the JSW-CCI International Squash Circuit in Mumbai.

The World No 21, seeded third, had things very much his way as he drubbed his fifth-seeded Swiss opponent 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 in a one-sided final in the US$ 50,000 event at the Cricket Club of India.

Ghosal said the title is a special one for him.

"I am happy to win in India. It's my biggest PSA win as well in a US$ 50000 tournament. In September I made the final in Macau, but lost. I have taken a lot of care of my body this week and I am happy it's worth it", said the India player.

"I played some great matches and I played good squash in majority of the tournament. That's the important thing for me now," he added.

He also hopes there ae more such tournaments in the country to help up and coming players.

"Hopefully we can make it bigger and have more tournaments all over India. This will help not just me, but those who are playing the PSA and the juniors who can watch us more regularly, not just once a year," he added.

Xavi set to retire at end of season, eyes coaching career

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez is set to retire at the end of the season and is keen to pursue a coaching career.

The 37-year-old, who won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues trophies at Barcelona, is currently captain of Qatari club Al-Sadd.

Xavi, renowned for controlling play from a central position, said his ability to recover after a game was declining.

"I've had luck not to be injured and I think my career has come towards its end, there's been a descent," he told Spanish newspaper Sport.

"Qatar allowed me this. Now I see myself being more tired, it's harder to recover, it will surely be my last year of being a footballer.

"I have the idea of getting my coaching license next year and being a coach."

Xavi collected 133 caps for Spain during a 14-year international career, winning the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

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