Eden Hazard was the jewel of Chelsea, so why is the playmaker quitting aged 32?

For a time in the midst of the 2010s, Eden Hazard was simply the finest footballer on these shores and if one clip can encapsulate his individual brilliance, it is a goal against Arsenal on the way to his second Premier League title.

Thirteen touches in 10 seconds, collecting the ball on the bounce in his own half, setting off with beautiful balance, dancing towards the Matthew Harding end, jinking and feinting, all dropped shoulders and pops of power, speed and strength. In his wake, a red-and-white trail of devastation as he clipped a shot into the net and spun away beaming with delight to slide on his knees.

In Spain, there were Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. In England, there was Hazard and he too was a joy to behold even if, as he announced his retirement at the age of 32, he sometimes left us with a suspicion there might have been more.

‘You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time,’ said Hazard, who had been a free agent since agreeing to terminate his Real Madrid contract a year early in June. ‘After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career. I was able to realise my dream. I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world.’

Football was always about fun for Hazard. Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013 desperate to drive him down the Ronaldo path of dedication to maximise his talent, only to discover the Belgian was happier dashing home after training to play ball with his kids than staying behind to do another thousand sit-ups.

Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri would all despair at his work-rate off the ball and yet were able to seize upon his outstanding natural ability and forge teams that enabled it to sparkle. Hazard was the jewel of