Originally Posted by Gilmore

You think?

Originally Posted by The Times

Eden Hazard agreed personal terms and passed a medical at Chelsea yesterday before revealing how Joe Cole had helped to persuade him to reject overtures from many of Europe’s leading clubs this summer.

Manchester City offered him a large salary, Manchester United had the history, grand stage and trophies to boot. But Hazard admitted last night that he chose Chelsea once he knew that they would be in the Champions League next season, for the simple reason that he would have greater opportunities to shine on the big stage.

Cole spent last season on loan at Lille with Hazard. “I spoke to Joe and what he said above all was that Chelsea was the right club for me,” the Belgium midfielder said last night. “As somebody who loves the club himself, he said he could really see me in the shirt, so when I see him next I’ll tell him he was right.”

Chelsea were so keen to sign Hazard that he received a personal call from Roman Abramovich, their Russian owner, who wanted him to be at the heart of the rejuvenation of the squad. He also spoke to Roberto Di Matteo, the interim head coach. The 21-year-old will join the European champions when pre-season training begins next month.

Hazard took to French radio even before Chelsea had announced that a deal had been agreed with Lille, which, at Ł32.3 million, made him the second most expensive player in the club’s history, behind Fernando Torres. “I spoke with Roman Abramovich and he was on the same wavelength,” Hazard said. “The club has ambitions to become even greater.

“There was a tussle between Chelsea and Manchester United. Chelsea had the most beautiful project. There are some players who have left, others are younger. There are chances to play and to play a leading role. There is quality in the workforce. My priority was to play. At Real Madrid or Barcelona, it would be harder. I would not have liked to go to Paris Saint-Germain, not now. I wanted to play abroad.”

He spoke personally to Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, and Roberto Mancini, his City counterpart, but was convinced to move to London once Chelsea qualified for the Champions League by upsetting Bayern Minuch in the final. “It was a priority. I wanted to play in it every year,” he said. “Initially, Chelsea were sixth, not qualified for the Champions League. When they won, I thought, ‘Why not Chelsea?’ Chelsea made a good investment for me, but I did not put any pressure on them. I’ll have to earn my place, I will need to show what I can do in pre-season. I will concentrate at 100 per cent to show what I can do. I will play maybe one day at their new [proposed] stadium.”

Hazard is the fourth Belgian to join Chelsea, after Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, whom he also asked for advice. “He told me that the people were friendly,” Hazard said. “It was a club with a good atmosphere and there are many Africans who speak French.”

Hazard was named best player in the past two seasons in France, led Lille to the French title in 2011 and scored 20 goals in the recent league campaign, including a hat-trick in the final game of the season to secure third place.

At yesterday’s medical he made a joke about dreary weather. “The English climate is the same as in the north of France; no, I think it is even worse,” he said. “It’s going really well the last few days. Everyone knows where I go, my mind is on vacation. I have a month of rest. I will enjoy it. I’m delighted to finally arrive here, it’s a wonderful club and I can’t wait to get started.”

Rudi Garcia, the Lille coach, had offered him no advice. “He said whatever you do is the right choice,” Hazard said. “Maybe one day I’ll go back and wear the jersey of Lille or another jersey. I had five beautiful years there.”

Originally Posted by Gilmore

United have reached agreement for Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund subject to passing a medical and obtaining a work permit.

Unsure of the fee at present.

Originally Posted by All We'll Drive

Man City's league title has really got the transfer market hopping this year.

How people enjoy things like baseball and basketball is beyond me. When we dont have the excitement of the actual season, the transfer market provides more than enough entertainment.

Originally Posted by Gilmore

Ahem, don't forget the Champions League Champions also play in the Premier League.

I enjoy watching Real Madrid and Barcelona play in the Spanish League but only because I want to see how impressive the goals they score against their feeble opponents are.

For a pure excitement, unpredictably and variation in the way the game is played, as far as I'm concerned, the Premier League is all you need. We are truly blessed to have it in England.