Latest news with #EdenHazard
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former Chelsea wonderkid who was tipped to be 'next Eden Hazard' and fell out with Cesc Fabregas retires aged 28 with shock statement
A former Chelsea wonderkid who was seen as a potential successor to Eden Hazard has hung up his boots aged 28 after a career ravaged by injuries. The Belgian joined Chelsea's youth system in 2012 with his two older brothers after being linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Hazard was a mentor and a 'good friend' to the young winger growing up but he would only go on to make seven senior appearances for the Blues. Chelsea sent him out on loan to Real Betis, Celtic, and Vitesse before he eventually left for Spanish second-tier Levante in 2022 - and made a first outing in over 1,000 days there. The player in question is Charly Musonda, whose last game was in January last year for Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta. Despite being tipped for big things, he only managed 74 appearances and two goals across his career. Knee injuries and surgery him ruled out for a total of three years and stunted his growth, which had begun so promisingly as he represented Belgium at under-21s level. Sometimes his talent even got him on the wrong side of his own team-mates. In 2015, when he was 19, he got involved in an alleged training ground bust-up with none other than Cesc Fabregas. The Spain midfielder reacted angrily after Musonda flicked the ball over his head before nutmegging him in training. Fabregas then unleashed a heavy challenge on him which sparked a melee among the squad and forced heated words between the two. Announcing his retirement on Monday, Musonda told the Rising Ballers podcast: 'I've got a big announcement today. 'It's not easy but it's something I've been thinking about for a long time. After reflecting on my experiences and who I am, I've realised I want to live with purpose to inspire and motivate others.' He also said on his Chelsea exit: 'The exit killed me. It killed me mentally. It was the worst thing. 'I was obviously with the reserves at that time so the plan was to pick up with the reserves, get some training in and if there were a few games where I could fit in toward the back end of the season, that was the plan. 'Because I literally had just gotten better. I came back in December-January and was training with the reserves. 'Feeling amazing, happy to be back - obviously it was a long way for me to be fully fit, but just being able to train was amazing. 'The first team was doing really well. It was COVID, so the buildings were split and you wouldn't really see the first team. 'Then toward the back end of the season in the car park I ran into Thomas Tuchel, the manager. 'They were getting ready for the semi-final of the Champions League and he just said, 'How are you feeling? How are things going?. 'It was my first time meeting him. He said, 'I'm looking forward to seeing you back and I said, 'Don't worry, I'll be back for pre-season. 'Because in my mind, it was always pre-season and I'd be back with the first team and we'd see from there. Whistleblowers, brought to you by the Mail and Wickes TradePro, is football's most original new podcast, lifting the lid on the parts of the game no one else talks about 'So I came back for pre-season and that's where things got tricky. That was the end of my time at Chelsea.' He also wrote on Instagram: 'This is not goodbye, but a new beginning, one where hopefully I can help play a small part in making the world better for footballers.
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Chelsea wonderkid dubbed ‘next Eden Hazard' retires aged 28 and admits Blues exit ‘killed me'
FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Charly Musonda, once tipped to follow in Eden Hazard's footsteps, has retired from football. Musonda announced his retirement from professional football at just 28 years old. 8 8 The Belgian forward revealed the heart-wrenching news, explaining that years of injuries had left him with no choice but to hang up his boots — despite still being young. In an emotional video posted on Rising Ballers, Musonda said: "I've got a big announcement today. "It's not easy but it's something I've been thinking about for a long time. After reflecting on my experiences and who I am, I've realised I want to live with purpose to inspire and motivate others." Musonda admitted that leaving Chelsea"killed" him, and his career has been overshadowed by a string of injuries and loan moves that never quite worked out. The emotional winger spoke about his Chelsea exit: "The exit killed me. It killed me mentally. It was the worst thing. "I was obviously with the reserves at that time so the plan was to pick up with the reserves, get some training in and if there were a few games where I could fit in toward the back end of the season, that was the plan. "Because I literally had just gotten better. I came back in December-January and was training with the reserves. "Feeling amazing, happy to be back—obviously it was a long way for me to be fully fit, but just being able to train was amazing. "The first team was doing really well. It was COVID, so the buildings were split and you wouldn't really see the first team. "Then toward the back end of the season in the car park I ran into Thomas Tuchel, the manager. "They were getting ready for the semi-final of the Champions League and he just said, 'How are you feeling? How are things going?. "It was my first time meeting him. He said, 'I'm looking forward to seeing you back and I said, 'Don't worry, I'll be back for pre-season. "Because in my mind, it was always pre-season and I'd be back with the first team and we'd see from there. "So I came back for pre-season and that's where things got tricky. That was the end of my time at Chelsea." 8 8 8 Despite the pain, Musonda isn't bitter, instead, he's channelling his experiences into helping the next generation. He added about his future plans: "I want to do things with purpose. I want to inspire people and create opportunities. "I'm still young but I want to help players who don't have the chance to showcase their talent. "I know how it feels and with football changing so much, many players never get the opportunity to show what they can do, I want to make a difference." Once hailed as one of the brightest prospects in European football, Musonda's potential was often compared to that of Hazard's during his early days at Stamford Bridge. 8 8 However, a series of setbacks-including loan spells at Real Betis and Vitesse Arnhem, meant his career never reached the heights everyone expected. Despite flashes of brilliance during his time away from Chelsea, Musonda made only a handful of appearances for the Blues and his once-promising future faded into disappointment. It's the end of a career that promised so much but ultimately never delivered. However, Musonda's drive to give back could help the next generation avoid the pitfalls that derailed his own career.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Cole Palmer reveals bizarre reason he wore mask on Chelsea's Club World Cup plane and says even Maresca didn't know why
COLE PALMER wants to follow in the footsteps of football's icons by taking on the challenge as Chelsea's No. 10. Yet he is fast becoming one himself as his career shoots for the stars. Palmer has been handed the coveted shirt number from team-mate Mykhailo Mudryk, 24, who is facing doping charges and a potential four-year ban. 3 3 Images of Chelsea's most gifted player are plastered across every advertising banner, hoarding and online publicity shot as Fifa cash in on his growing fame at the Club World Cup. While Palmer talks of his admiration for Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and former Blues No .10 Eden Hazard, it is slowly dawning on him that he is being swiftly elevated in status too. The forward, 23, said: 'I wore No .10 growing up. 'Messi is the big one, Rooney and players like that. It's an iconic number.' Hazard wowed Blues fans from 2012 to 2019 and Palmer added: 'I've seen him a few times at the training ground. He asked me for one of my shirts for his sons. To see him was nice, we had a conversation.' Fame does not come easy for this understated lad from Manchester. Palmer football. 'Back home I get recognised. At the start, it was a bit 'wow', but now I get used to it. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 'It's just a game of football at the end of the day, like it's not life or death. 'So I just try and enjoy it. I like to go and play five-a-side and go to the astro. I like PlayStation. I just do things a normal kid would do.' Former Chelsea and Real Madrid star Geremi handed five-year ban from football activity after row with Samuel Eto'o Three Flamengo players to watch Flamengo boost some recognisable players in their sqiuad... JORGINHO - FAMILIAR Face for Chelsea fans, well those in the UK anyway. Might not be so over here in the US. But a Champions League winner with The Blues in 2021. He was an acquired taste for the supporters, they saw him as a symbol of the derided 'Sarri-ball' of former boss Maurizio Sarri, who won them the Europa League and finished third in the Premier League. DANILO - DEFENDER Who will also be recognisable to English soccer fans. A defender with Manchester City for two seasons. Was not a mainstay of the team but still collected two Premier League titles - successive ones between 2017 & 2019. FILIPE LUIS - A LEFT BACK Who also played for Chelsea. Bought from Atletico Madrid by legendary Blues boss Jose Mourinho. He was drafted to fill the boots of iconic left back Ashley Cole but it never quite worked out. He stayed only one season and made barely a dozen appearances. 3 Palmer can wave goodbye to normal as the face of the new Blues. His off-the-cuff style and habit of turning games on their heads in split seconds make him a huge draw. After training this week, he was mobbed by dozens of schoolchildren. American kids who have grown to love him from 4,000 miles away. Chelsea play Flamengo on Friday evening and Palmer has a special reason to play even better against the Rio giants. He said: 'Well, my uncle lives in Brazil and messaged me to say they're one of their biggest clubs and that's all they are talking about, so I expect it will be a good game. He messaged me to say please score. 'Playing a game every three days in this heat is difficult but it's bringing us closer together as a team.' One image of Palmer that sent shockwaves through Fifa saw him getting off the plane wearing a face mask. Boss Enzo Maresca wrote the whole thing off as a practical joke. But Palmer explained: 'It wasn't a joke I just don't like the smell of planes. That's why I wear a mask. 'Nothing else. Enzo doesn't know, I didn't tell him, but he didn't ask me to be fair.' Mudryk will be issued with a new squad number once his issues over a positive test for banned substance meldonium is resolved. Palmer said: 'I have not spoken to Misha yet but I will when the time is right.'
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Palmer on fame: 'I think, why me?'
In Cole Palmer's mind, the 22-year-old is still the same ambitious young footballer that messaged Eden Hazard, but his life has changed markedly in the last two England international has become a household name and is now described by Enzo Maresca as "Chelsea's best player".Palmer is on billboards advertising the Club World Cup in United States host cities and been given the no10 shirt, once worn by the legendary when asked about his newfound fame, Palmer said: "Yes, I am just a normal kid so when people do stuff like [notice me], I think… why me?"Obviously in restaurants I get recognised. At the start, it was a bit wow, but now I get used to it. I still do the same things now that I did before I came to Chelsea."I try and think it's just a game of football at the end of the day, like it's not life or death. So I just try and enjoy it. I like to go and play five-a-side, PlayStation and go to the Astro [turf] and just do normal things [to take my mind of things]."It has been quick in terms of how fast it has happened but it is a nice feeling and if I keep performing and keep doing stuff hopefully it will get better and bigger."What highlights Palmer's change in status was he once messaged Hazard while an academy player in 2015. Of course, the message went unreplied and unread. When asked whether Hazard replied yet, Palmer said: "Nah," but added: "I have seen him a few times at the training ground. He asked me for one of my shirts for his sons."Palmer has also taken Hazard's iconic no10 shirt, explaining: "I wore no10 all my life growing up and I just like the number, so yes, it is an iconic number, which makes me think of Messi and Rooney."He is also seeing a team built around him with fellow Manchester City academy graduates, with Liam Delap – who joined in a £30m move from Ipswich - rekindling a former partnership from their youth days. They, along with Romeo Lavia, won Premier League 2 for the Under-23s in 2021 under now Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and Palmer explained: "I played with Liam for a number of years when he started at City. I just know where he is going to be, and I like to find him and hopefully I can assist him a lot this season."The Blues next face Flamengo in the Club World Cup in Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field and Palmer's uncle has provided some Brazilian knowledge. "My uncle has lived in Brazil for over 10 years and messaged me to say they are one of the biggest clubs in Brazil and please score," he continued. "Apparently, that's all they are talking about so I expect it will be a good game."
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Soccer Aid 2025: Who's playing, how to watch and when is England vs World XI?
Soccer Aid is back for 2025 with the charity football match returning to Old Trafford as England battle the World XI. The Three Lions secured redemption last year with victory for the first time since 2018 thanks to a 6–3 win at Stamford Bridge. The match, put on to raise money for UNICEF, generated more than £15m in donations last year with the likes of Eden Hazard and Alessandro del Piero featuring in an entertaining nine-goal contest. It was a tough night for Olympics legend Usain Bolt though, with the Jamaican rupturing his Achilles tendon to leave him in agony as a stretcher carried him off the pitch. This year, former heavyweight world champion boxer Tyson Fury, currently retired since his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, will now take charge of England as manager, having teased a return to the ring at the stadium of his beloved Red Devils. The Theatre of Dreams will welcome some Manchester United legends, too, including Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. Here's everything you need to know about this year's charity match: When and where is Soccer Aid 2025? Soccer Aid 2025 will be played on Sunday 15 June at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, with kick-off set for 7:30pm BST. How can I watch Soccer Aid 2025 on TV and is there a live stream? You can watch Soccer Aid 2025 live on ITV1 and ITVX will have you covered for a live stream on mobile devices. Coverage starts at 6pm BST. Who is playing? The full squads are yet to be confirmed, but a number of current and former players, as well as celebrities have been announced. England Manager and coaches Tyson Fury Wayne Rooney David James Harry Redknapp Vicky McClure Robbie Williams Players Sir Mo Farah Wayne Rooney Louis Tomlinson Gary Neville Paul Scholes Steven Bartlett Joe Hart Angry Ginge Toni Duggan Steph Houghton Jill Scott Alex Brooker Jermain Defoe Tom Grennan Sam Quek Sam Thompson Paddy McGuinnes World XI Kaylyn Kyle Livi 'Diamond' Sheldon Leonardo Bonucci Lee Mack Nadia Nadim
