Eden Hazard wants to finally get his hands on The Emirates FA Cup this year, as Chelsea prepare for their semi-final showdown with Spurs.
The Blues have been one of the competition’s more successful clubs over the last decade, winning four of the last ten Finals.
But with their last title coming in 2012, just a matter of weeks before Hazard arrived at Stamford Bridge from Lille, it’s a medal which the Belgian star wants to add to his collection.
“The FA Cup is a massive competition in England, it’s the oldest Cup in the world,” Hazard told the official Emirates FA Cup semi-final match programme.
“Since I came here, I have reached the semi-final but I’ve never had the chance to play the Final, so I hope this can be my first year to reach the Final and, why not, to win the competition.
“Wembley is a massive stadium to play at – it’s one of the best in the world and this stadium is all about the big games and we need to shine when we come to play here.”
There’s an extra edge to Saturday’s game too, as Antonio Conte’s men come up against their chief pursuers in the race for the Premier League title.
Spurs have cut Chelsea’s lead at the top of the table down to four points in recent weeks to set up a grandstand finish to the campaign on both fronts.
And Hazard knows that a victory for the west Londoners over their nouveau rivals from the northern side of the capital would put them in a good position to complete a domestic double.
“It’s good to create some stories like this between two clubs and it can be a new story,” he added.
“It could be good or bad, although I hope it is a good one for us, but it’s true that they have been up there for two or three years now and we are there at the top of the league.
“So it’s a real battle for the title in England and also for a place in the Cup Final.
“They have some great players, they’re a good team, with a good manager, so everything is ready for a big game in a big stadium. Let’s go!”
You can read the full interview with Hazard, along with exclusive features from David Luiz, Eric Dier and Christian Eriksen in Saturday’s match programme. Order your copy of the official Emirates FA Cup semi-final programme between Chelsea and Spurs by clicking here.
