Brighton's Mat Ryan Expresses Delight That Eden Hazard Has 'P*ssed Off Somewhere Else'

Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Mat Ryan is a very happy man knowing that he won't have to come up against Eden Hazard next season.

In four games playing against Ryan and the Seagulls, Hazard has scored as many goals and been on the winning side on every single occasion.

And having seen the Belgian depart the Premier League for a dream move to Real Madrid, Ryan joked that he's happy Hazard has "p*ssed off somewhere else.

Image: PA

"I think from the four times I've faced him I haven't saved a shot from him yet," the Australian No.1 told the Fox Football Podcast.

"It's either been blocked, he's hit the shot off target or he's scored a goal.

"It's a bit of an annoying fact so thank god he's p*ssed off somewhere else. I put in a nice word to (Real Madrid) for him.

"I would love to have the opportunity to face him again and stop him - that's my motivation."

Hazard was officially unveiled as Real's latest Galactico in front of 50,000 fans at the Santiago Bernabeu a fortnight ago, but did so without an official squad number.

And the former Lille star revealed that he asked Luka Modric about taking his No.10 shirt but was swiftly told where to go by the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner.

Image: PA

"I've talked to Modric through [Mateo] Kovacic. I jokingly asked him if he could leave me No.10, he said no, I have to find another number," Hazard said on Thursday, as per Goal.

"For me the number is not important, but to play with this shirt, with this badge."

The likes of Luis Figo, Ferenc Puskas, Michael Laudrup, Clarence Seedorf, Robinho, Wesley Sneijder and Mesut Ozil have all wore the No.10 at Real Madrid but it's not looking as though Hazard will be joining the class anytime soon.

He is, however, widely expected to end up taking the iconic No.7 shirt - if official Real stores are anything to go by.

Mariano Diaz is currently Real Madrid's No.7 but could well be forced to budge in the same way Juan Cuadrado did when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus last summer.

Topics: Football News, Eden Hazard, Football, Brighton and Hove Albion, Premier League, Real Madrid, La Liga, Brighton

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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