Thorgan Hazard: "I want to help Gladbach get back into Europe"
Thorgan Hazard says he wants to see Borussia Mönchengladbach back in Europe by the end of the season, preferably the UEFA Champions League.
Gladbach have missed out on continental football in each of the last two seasons, but finished the first half of the current Bundesliga campaign in third, thanks in no small part to leading scorer Hazard.
Hazard's performances - nine Bundesliga goals and six assists so far this term - continue to generate plenty of interest, but the Belgium international forward insists Gladbach's quest for Europe is his only focus.
"I'm not thinking about leaving," Hazard told media at Gladbach's warm weather training camp in Jerez, Spain on Tuesday. "I want to help Borussia reach their goals. Right now, I just want to focus on playing well, so I can do my bit to help Gladbach qualify for Europe."
Watch: What makes Thorgan Hazard so effective?
'Champions League better for all concerned'
Hazard, 25, already has European experience, having helped Gladbach qualify for the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in 2015. The Foals reached the tournament again the following season, only to be eliminated once more at the group stage and drop into the Europa League.
"It's been two years since Gladbach last played in Europe," continued Hazard. "I want to be playing in Europe again next season with Gladbach, that's my objective. If it's the Champions League, that's even better for the club, the team and me."
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'Bundesliga one of the best in the world'
Hazard joined Gladbach on a permanent deal from English Premier League outfit Chelsea in 2015 following a productive season-long loan with the club. He has made over 160 competitive appearances for the Foals to date, registering 45 goals and 39 assists, and admits he could yet extend his stay beyond his current deal, which expires in summer 2020.
"If it makes sense to stay, then I'll stay," he explained. "I'm happy at the club and in the team, and my family's happy. I've read all the stories, but nothing's changed. I was never going to leave in the summer, and I'm not now. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world. It's a very high level. I'm only thinking about Borussia at the moment."
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