The former Tottenham boss reveals he tried to bring Hazard to White Hart Lane.
Chelsea attacking midfielder Eden Hazard was a transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur when the player was still at Lille, admits former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.
Hazard made the £32m switch to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2012, but things could have been so different if Redknapp had convinced the Belgian to come to north London instead of west.
“I was trying to sign him for Tottenham from Lille, where he had a reputation as one of Europe’s finest players,” the 66-year-old was quoted by the Mirror.
“The deal never quite came off but I got the impression this was a lad who was going places – and he’s certainly proved that at Chelsea this season.”
Redknapp was certainly not wrong as since moving to the Blues the 23-year-old has been in superb form and was even shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award last term.
Hazard has played 90 matches in all competitions for the side to date, scoring 24 goals and providing 32 assists and being regarded as one of the finest players in the division.
Since Jose Mourinho took over as manager in the summer the Portuguese coach has kept the Belgium international as an important part of the first team – when stars such as Juan Mata have been sidelined by the 50-year-old.
Despite still being so young Hazard has already achieved a lot in the midfielder’s career and has 42 caps for the national team.
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