Wannabes left out as Player of the Year nominations announced

 

The PFA Player of the Year award nominees were announced on Friday with Premier League stars finding out who is in the running for the honour.

Tottenham forward Gareth Bale heads the list which includes Michael Carrick, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie.

The winner is due to be announced on April 28, but in the meantime there are reasons to celebrate for the nominated six, although do spare a thought for those who missed out this time.

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Platini's Euro 2020 vision gets the green light

 

Friday brought confirmation from Uefa that the year 2020 will, for the first time, see the European Championships spread across 13 cities from all over the continent.

Michel Platini, president of the governing body, has been the biggest proponent of the idea and finally sees it come to fruition.

And now the stars of the next decade of international football, including the likes of Paul Pogba, Stephan El Shaarawy and Mario Gotze, can start to plan their triumphant EuroTrip!
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Benitez's little helpers give Chelsea a Magic Eight

 

After three consecutive draws at Stamford Bridge, Rafa Benitez got his first Premier League win at home since taking charge at Chelsea as his side gave Aston Villa a pre-Christmas stuffing on Sunday.

Fernando Torres, David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic, Frank Lampard, Ramires, Oscar and Eden Hazard all got on the scoresheet in the rout to give Chelsea fans a sprinkling of festive joy following their Club World Cup final defeat earlier this month.

Benitez's side are now 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United with a game in hand, and will be looking to close the gap over the busy Christmas schedule.

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Wigan fail to heed Hazard warning

 

One of the the most anticipated Premier League debuts in recent seasons certainly lived up to expectation on Sunday, with Eden Hazard playing a pivotal role in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Wigan.

The Belgian starlet terrorised the Latics defence in the opening stages of the clash at the DW Stadium, teeing up Branislav Ivanovic to open the scoring before winning a penalty to allow Frank Lampard to double the Blues' lead from the penalty spot.

And after a dazzling bow in England's top-flight, Wigan may not be the only side to fail to stop Hazard this season...
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The Premier League is back!

 

It's back! After three months of having to pretend to be interested in other sports, football fans can finally relax and indulge themselves in the return of the Premier League this Saturday.

Last year's campaign was one of the most dramatic in living memory, with Manchester City snatching a maiden title victory in the dying seconds of the season.

Yet, with Robin van Persie joining Manchester United, an overhaul at Arsenal, and Brendan Rodgers seeking to kickstart his Liverpool revolution, there is one heck of a stellar cast list for 2012-13 campaign...

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Hazard slips up as Mancini shows Chelsea who's boss

 

Eden Hazard may have cost Chelsea mega-bucks but his most memorable moments were ones he will want to forget after Manchester City romped to a 3-2 win in the Community Shield.

Having flirted with the Premier League champions, before opting to sign for Roberto Di Matteo's men, Hazard's name was roundly booed by the City fans when it was announced prior to kick-off.

Those same supporters had more reason to cheer during the game. An early dive did little to change their minds before an attempted back-heel to Ashley Cole saw Hazard trip over his own feet and end up face in the turf much to the delight of the City fans. 
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Hodgson takes cautious approach after England's injury pile up

 

Following the withdrawals of Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard from the England squad through injury, it appears manager Roy Hodgson may take a cautious approach when Belgium come to entertain on Saturday.

The midfielders were ruled out of the trip to Euro 2012 with a groin and thigh injury respectively, with Phil Jagielka and Jordan Henderson called up as replacements.

With doubts also remaining over the fitness of Scott Parker, rumours that a large order of bubble wrap is heading into Wembley Stadium are currently unfounded.
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A case of the Blues as Hazard plumps for Chelsea

 

After months of speculation, rumours and toying with Europe's top clubs, Eden Hazard finally put an end to one of the longest running transfer sagas in recent times by announcing he will join Chelsea.

Just a month ago the Belgian wizard had looked certain to move to Manchester from Lille, with both City and United battling it out to secure the 21-year-old's signature.

However, the Blues' dramatic victory in the Champions League final changed Hazard's mind one last time, with the continent's hottest property opting for a move to west London, leaving Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson in a spin...

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Hazard is tailor-made for Manchester

 

Eden Hazard is set to be one of the hottest properties in the transfer window this summer but the Lille ace remained coy on his future when questioned on Monday evening.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini and Harry Redknapp have all personally scouted the forward, while Chelsea and Arsenal also remain in the hunt for the Belgium international, who has admitted he will leave Lille for the bright lights of the Premier League at the end of the season.

But when asked whether he prefers red or blue, Hazard told Canal+: "I like both. They're both nice colors. I think they both suit me."

Where will he end up?

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the queue of managers lining up to sign Hazard

 

Lille playmaker Eden Hazard is currently one of the hottest properties in European football with many of the Continent's top teams interested in acquiring his services. 

Roberto Mancini became the latest manager to watch the Belgian on a scouting trip at the weekend, following the example of rival Sir Alex Ferguson.

Chelsea are also intrigued by the prospect of Hazard, but claim to have pulled out of the race due to competition. 

Yet Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp warned that his side will fight the top sides to secure the Belgian's signature. It looks set to be a hazardous race to sign the 21-year-old, but who will come out on top?

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Hazard to earn his Spurs in England

 

It seems to change with every passing moment. One minute, Eden Hazard looks set to join Thomas Vermaelen at Arsenal, the next he looks close to joining Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea, and now a move to Tottenham Hotspur could be on the horizon. And who can blame him? With Arsenal incapable of winning two games in a row, Chelsea looking ever more unlikely to make the top four and Spurs going from strength to strength, the talented Belgian schemer could very well be plying his trade at White Hart Lane next season after all. 

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