Kevin Nolan predicts Eden Hazard retirement U-turn, would take him at West Ham United
Kevin Nolan says he would love to take Eden Hazard on trial at West Ham as he predicted a retirement U-turn from the former Chelsea and Real Madrid forward.
Hazard brought down the curtain on his 16-year playing career on Tuesday (10 October) in a statement posted on social media.
Having witnessed Hazard’s talents up close during his time in the Premier League, Nolan would be more than happy to have him at West Ham.
Nolan told talkSPORT Drive (10 October): “I’m sure if he wanted to come and trial we’d, I mean I’d, certainly be willing to.
“I don’t know about the gaffer [David Moyes], but I’d certainly want to trial him.”
Nolan added: “It’s sad that at 32 he’s decided to bow out in all honesty because I believe someone of his calibre of play could play at the top level for plenty more years.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a little bit of a reverse on that in the next six months to a year.”
No thanks
Now that Hazard has spent enough time away from Chelsea and announced his retirement, West Ham supporters can reluctantly admire his class.
The former Belgium international scored six goals against the Hammers [Transfermarkt], making them one of his favourite opponents.
A couple of those were Goal of the Season contenders, while he also chipped in with a few assists against United.
Hazard really was a superb player during his time in the Premier League, but those memories are a thing of the past now.
The 32-year-old just could not catch a break with injuries during his time at Real Madrid, starting only 30 LaLiga games across four seasons for them.
On that basis, and the fact West Ham have plenty of talented attacking players in their ranks, it is fair to say supporters would not be as open as Nolan to offering Hazard a trial.
In other West Ham news, a Moyes regular has emerged as a reported transfer target for Inter Milan.