I need pre-World Cup break after Chelsea FA Cup win - Hazard

Nizaar Kinsella

I need pre-World Cup break after Chelsea FA Cup win - Hazard image

Eden Hazard is looking forward to a break ahead of the World Cup in Russia after providing Chelsea fans with the gift of an FA Cup win over Manchester United.

The Belgium captain was officially announced in Roberto Martinez's squad list on Monday, although his selection for the tournament was never in doubt.

The 27-year-old was the match winner at Wembley on Saturday when scoring the only goal of the final from the penalty spot.

It was a first FA Cup success for Hazard and, after celebrating the achievement with his family, the playmaker admitted that he is keen to rest up to help give Belgium their best chance of winning the World Cup. 

"We will go somewhere where I can get a tan, but we do not know where. We'll see. Thereafter we prepare for the World Cup. You can sunbathe in London but it is not the same sun as Copacabana," Hazard said at Wembley Stadium, before talking about his fitness ahead of the World Cup.

"July 15 is the final? Let's make sure we get there first (laughs). The season was not good, but we close our season with a trophy. It feels good. We deserve it. We worked hard for this. We party, but after that I'm going to rest properly to prepare for the World Cup."

Phil Jones brought Hazard down with a clumsy challenge in the first half and the former Lille man admits that it was one of his most high-pressured penalty kicks yet.

"They made a mistake and the ball came to me. I'm lucky that I managed good control and I got past Jones. I only went down in front of the goal," he added. "There is always a bit of pressure with a penalty. Especially if it is 0-0. If you have a penalty at 3-0 or 4-0 you obviously do not feel any pressure because the game is won.

"But at 0-0 in a final there's always [pressure]. I have handled it well. Waited for the keeper to choose a side and kicked it the other side. I am content. You never know what can happen but for me it was mainly a way of thanking the fans. They have always supported us. We have not always played well but they were here en masse.

"I think it's always good to celebrate between players but also the audience, without thinking of anything else. To be honest, we have not seen the real Chelsea. We can do better. They had more chances than us. Thibaut has done two or three important saves. We know how they play. We know how Jose likes to play. But Jose has won many finals.

"That could have also happened. Unfortunately for him, they lost to us. We defended well. We are content. I have not thought about the achievement much yet. It's like the cup with France. It is always important to win the cup for your country, especially if you have not won it."

Nizaar Kinsella

Nizaar Kinsella Photo

Nizaar Kinsella is a Chelsea correspondent with experience covering international football at the World Cup and European Championships. He is a trusted voice within the Chelsea community, attending almost every game and having spent many years doing so. Coverage on Goal.com has seen him invited onto CNN, BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport and BeINSports to comment on the turbulent world of the Stamford Bridge club. He previously worked for the Daily Mirror and BBC Radio Manchester, as well as a period working in the UK charity sector.