Hazard happy to stay at Lille
442 Staff - Friday 05 June 2009, 16:54
Lille forward Eden Hazard says he has no plans to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer, but dreams of one day playing for either Arsenal or Real Madrid.
The highly-rated 18-year-old shone in his debut season in the French top-flight, making 31 league appearances - scoring four goals - and earning full international honours with Belgium.
And the attacking midfielder's form has led to speculation linking him with a string of European big-hitters including Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Arsenal, with Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger thought to be keen on one day adding the starlet to his armoury of talent.
But despite the high-profile interest, Hazard insists he is focused on playing regular first-team football and developing his game with Lille.
“This was my first season as a pro, I’ve scored and have been playing more than I’d expected. I hope it continues,” he told De Standaard.
“Next year, I have to play in every game. That is my aim, to become an undisputed first-team player at Lille.”
However, Hazard added that should he fulfil his potential and develop into a midfield force in the future, his dream move would be to either the Santiago Bernabeu or Emirates Stadium.
“Real Madrid and Arsenal are the clubs I dreamed of joining as a child,” he said.
“If I joined Inter or Barcelona and could play football there then that would be very good, but Real and Arsenal are really great and play at a very high technical level.”
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