Eden Hazard could miss start of season with broken ankle

Chelsea's star man Eden Hazard broke his ankle while training with Belgium - but there could be a silver lining for the Blues.

Hazard is expected to be out for two months and is a doubt for the start of next season. However, the injury could be a blessing in disguise as it came shortly after he revealed he would be "tempted" by a move to European champions Real Madrid.

He has been linked to the Spanish side in the past and Madrid were expected to renew their interest this summer. His injury may have them thinking twice.

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"Hazard had been preparing to play in Monday's friendly with the Czech Republic at the National Football Centre in Tubize, south-west of Brussels when he was injured on Sunday afternoon and was immediately ruled out of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Estonia," reports the Daily Telegraph.

He is expected to be out for up to eight weeks and "will almost certainly" miss the start of next season, news that is likely to "end any chance of a summer move to Real Madrid", adds the paper.

Although the new Premier League season does not start for ten weeks, the campaign effectively begins three weeks earlier, says The Times.

Chelsea have pre-season games against Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in Singapore in late July and will play in the Community Shield against Arsenal on 6 August.

Hazard's injury, which was not thought to be serious at the time, could impact on his summer plans. The Belgian had said he was looking forward to a break from football after his international duties, but he "may have to undergo treatment before heading on his summer break", says the Daily Mail.