CHELSEA’s best piece of transfer business this summer was keeping hold of Eden Hazard, claims BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand. Hazard was linked with a move away from Chelsea in the transfer window. Real Madrid were keen on the Belgium international and he admitted he would consider his future following the World Cup. But Hazard is still a Chelsea player and despite the window still being open in many leagues across Europe, it is unlikely he will be allowed to leave with a replacement not being able to be bought. Hazard came on as a second-half substitute in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Arsenal today. The 27-year-old set up Marcos Alonso for the winner and Ferdinand says his performance was key to the victory.
“A great advert for the Premier League,” Ferdinand said of the game. “Fantastic, the game ebbed and flowed. “The best piece of business this Chelsea manager has done this season in the transfer window was keeping that man (Hazard) at the club. “The quality he showed when he came on, changed the game in terms of the dominating of possession, making a difference in the final third, decision making. “Truly world-class player.”
Ferdinand was not impressed with the defending of either side though. And he does not expect either of them to challenge for the title this term. “These two teams will not be anywhere near winning the league on this showing,” he said. “They just don’t defend, you’ve got to do both sides of the game. “You’ve got to have balance with the way you play this game.” Chelsea sit top of the table after today’s result, with Arsenal in 17th after two consecutive defeats.
