New Chelsea signing Eden Hazard revealed his admiration for one of the greatest players to play the game - Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane currently works for Real Madrid, after ending his illustrious career, as a sporting director, and has repeatedly mentioned his liking for Hazard's talents. Last year Zidane said, he would "sign Hazard with (my) eyes closed", when asked about the Belgian playmaker. And now Hazard has said of he modelled is game around the legendary French international.
Zidane made his name with Juventus and Real Madrid at club level, and inspired France to the World Cup title in their home ground in 1998. The ease with which he played his game, and the class he brought whenever he stepped on the pitch was a joy to watch for every football lover. Zidane was named the FIFA World Player of the Year three times, while winning three league titles and a Champions League medal.
Hazard, now wants to emulate his idol, by playing in a similar position, both for his club and for his country. "He (Zidane) was my role model, I've always wanted to play like him," Hazard told Champions Matchday magazine.
"I've always liked the number 10, because it is one of Zidane.
"When he started talking about me, I didn't understand what was happening any more. But he must have said that about other players, so I knew I had to keep on working."
The 21-year-old has made a bright start to his career in the English Premier League, and will look to create havoc among the Queens Park Rangers defenders, when Chelsea play their fellow London side in Saturday's Derby game.
There will be an interesting subplot to that match, if John Terry and Ashley Cole are deemed fit; it will be the first time that Terry and Anton Ferdinand meet face-to-face after Terry was found not guilty by an English court for racial abuse.
Ferdinand is also reportedly unhappy with Cole, after the left-back spoke on Terry's behalf at the trial.
Teammate Branislav Ivanovic, however, is convinced Terry can cope with the abuse that will be directed at him by QPR fans at Loftus Road. "Everyone knows how important John is for us," the Serbian defender told The Sun.
"It won't be the first time John has played in a game where he is booed - it's happened many times before."
"I can remember the first game we played there and the atmosphere. I will remember it for the rest of my life. QPR is a derby and everyone knows it's a big game."
