Eden Hazard will miss Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers against Greece after a calf injury forced him to withdraw from the squad.
Some will suspect foul play on the part of Chelsea in trying to keep their wounded star man out of further trouble, but Hazard’s record for his country is impeccable and he has captained his country on many occasions.
The news was revealed by well-connected Belgian journalists Kristof Terreur on Twitter:
Eden Hazard has pulled out of the Belgium squad for the WC qualifier against Greece and friendly against Russia with a calf problem. #cfc pic.twitter.com/cRpZ5MXgvZ
— Kristof Terreur 📰 (@HLNinEngeland) 20 March 2017
It’s a minor muscle injury, but Chelsea (and Belgium) take no risks. They are hoping that he might be fit for Crystal Palace in 12 days.
— Kristof Terreur 📰 (@HLNinEngeland) 20 March 2017
Chelsea struggled to a win over Stoke without their star forward, who has been absolutely flying in recent games. Missing him for another Premier League fixture would be a blow, although Terreur’s followup tweet suggests that the winger may be back sooner rather than later.