Monday’s birthday boy Eden Hazard was the latest Chelsea man to answer fans’ questions via Twitter, and did so, for one of his first times, in English.
He discussed the difference between France and London, and how his English is progressing, and the midfielder also spent time responding to queries about training, team-mates and how he is enjoying his time here.
Hazard joined Chelsea last summer from Lille, and is rapidly adjusting to life in London and at Chelsea.
‘It’s a faster game here, that’s the major difference. The training is the same on the whole,’ the Belgian said, citing the difference between playing here and with his former club in France.
He looked forward to his first day of training at Cobham, ‘I was excited to be here with players like Terry and Cole, and to play for Chelsea.’
No stranger to the game when young, Hazard has grown up in a football-loving family, which is how his career started. ‘My family plays football – my dad, my brother, so that’s how I got into it.’
He spoke fondly about his Belgian childhood hero. ‘Enzo Scifo. He played in midfield and I learnt a lot from him when I was younger,’ he revealed.
Responding to @PrashankRai, Hazard revealed the toughest defender he’s faced has to be ‘Sylvain Distin (at Everton) – he’s very strong.’
Expanding further on his ambitions and why he enjoys being at Chelsea, he added: ‘I’m very proud of the trophies I won at Lille, and I’m looking forward to winning some here too.’ Looking back on his favourite goal in a blue shirt, it has to be ‘the one against Aston Villa before Christmas.’
Keen to learn from his current team-mates, Hazard then responded to @senez09 who asked how his English is improving. ‘I’m working on it! I try, and I’m learning with my teacher. I do my homework,’ and he now has gained another French-speaking team-mate in Demba Ba. ‘Azpilicueta, he speaks French, and Ba speaks French so it’s easy for me, and it’s nice to have him here with us.
‘The language is different. Driving on the opposite side of the road was difficult to get used to!’
To conclude the Twitter chat, Hazard was asked by Shaynz & Winz how he spent his birthday in London earlier this week, and said ‘I didn’t do anything for it! No presents! No cake!’
You can keep up with Eden Hazard via Twitter and Facebook using @hazardeden10 or www.facebook.com/edenhazard, while the official club accounts can be found at @chelseafc and www.facebook.com/chelseafc.