Eden Hazard has paid tribute to Cesc Fabregas as the Spanish midfielder edges closer to completing a move away from Stamford Bridge to join French side Monaco.
Hazard and Fabregas have been teammates in West London for the last four-and-a-half seasons, winning two Premier League titles and the FA Cup together.
However, with Fabregas’ Chelsea contract set to expire at the end of the season, he looks almost certain to accept the offer of a three-year deal from Ligue 1 side Monaco, where the 31-year-old will link up with former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry.
Speaking after his sides 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, Hazard revealed that he felt ‘lucky’ to have played with Fabregas and wished him all the best in the future.
“I can say that I was lucky to play with him. Since the beginning when he came, we saw it the first year when we won the double together,” Hazard told reporters.
“He is a top guy on the pitch and off the pitch, a great friend of mine.
“I have admiration for this guy and I hope he will have a good future. He is a bit old now but he is still very good, he will enjoy it.”