Blue Armour

Hazard FC

Yeah I think they'll be coming with a point to prove. But I'm glad we're playing them at home rather than away.

Not sure if he will start, but hope CHO gets another shot at Arsenal. Unfinished business.

Funny how this article comes out just a few hours after we've won. No quotes. Nothing on this from any newspaper in Europe. The Express must surely be in close touch with the Madrid top brass. A couple of days into the new PL season, ..they look at the PL table...and the media get restless and paranoid.

Nice back-heel that led to the penalty. Need to see more of that.

What happened then was decent goal scoring chances ended up being thrown into the trash.. I'm hoping that doesn't happen here, which at least in this game, it didn't.

Exaggeration. Especially if you're saying that after today's game.

It will be interesting to see how he links up with Kovacic, since they've played with each other before.

Bit of stretch to think CHO is going to start games on a regular basis, unless squad rotation calls for it. For me, it would be good if he came on in 65th/70th minute of the game as a regular sub. That's still very good experience for a 17 yr old, with less weight of expectation.

Good performance by him today. Worked hard, led the line well.

Yeah I wish Courtois had a bit more sympathy...but honestly don't care what Courtois says from now on. What's concerning to me from the quote, is that the seed has already been planted. Whether he says it in public or not. I mentioned in the Hazard thread how agents can influence player decisions, and how Hazard operating without an agent would slow these kinds of moves. Courtois could very well be the agent Hazard never had.

Why wouldn't Madrid want him next him season? IMO, if he doesn't renew the contract, there's a good chance they can target him for a much lower transfer fee, plus one more player who is more of the 'galactico' goal-scoring category like an Mbappe/Neymar or even just a fantastic goal scorer like Icardi. It will be like the time they got Kaka and Ronaldo. Also, from Hazard's perspective, it would make sense to join next season considering there will be less pressure. He won't be viewed as 'Ronaldo's direct replacement'. The way I see it, thanks to Courtois or not, Hazard's head is already turned. The only thing keeping him right now is the fact that Madrid haven't strongly pushed for him, and plus, he has a sense of loyalty to the club and its fans, which is why he isn't handing in a transfer request. The only way I can see him renew the contract with us, is if we are absolutely flying this season not just in terms of stylish football, but also in terms of results. The one thing I hope the club will learn is to be prepared the next time a superstar is gearing to leave. The Courtois situation was too uncomfortable for my liking. We had to do it with Drogba, and we will have to do it with Hazard eventually. Meaning, have the next superstar lined up as early as possible.

End of the day, we have made the most of Courtois time here. 2 PL titles, 1 league cup and 1 FA cup. Not bad for 4 seasons of utility.

Possession...check Chance creation....check (or close enough) Pressing...clearly work in progress, but should get there The big question for me is....where are all the goals going to come from? The one consistent trend in our past few matches is the inability to maintain a-goal-a-game ratio Giroud is not the most prolific, and then there's Morata. Unless Sarri creates a Salah or Mertens out of one of the midfielders, I'm a bit worried. Its a shame Pedro isn't any younger. He could have been a suitable candidate for the Mertens role.

Tempting to think about this one though.. Quite a few reports stating that Chelsea and Lyon were in talks on Tue over price.. Hazard and Giroud are known to have talked with the player about a potential move Lyon manager doesn't deny that a move could happen in the transfer window.. And the other potential bidders Liverpool and United have seemingly backed away.

I think he is conflicted. That's when the agent can step in and remove that conflict.

Good Hopefully that will mean we have good communication between the keeper and one of the outfield defenders from the start. Must have for the this team

Hazard's case is always an interesting and unique one. I think part of it is because he doesn't have work with an agent that gives him ideas. Seeing how Courtois behaved at Genk before he signed with us, and now seeing him repeat the same with the Madrid move, it makes me think he's getting tips from his agent on how to force a move.

No doubt he was interested in the prospect of a Madrid move But what's also more than likely, and I'm pretty sure you'll disagree, is that Hazard was nice enough and likes Chelsea enough (I think a part of him weirdly has faith in what the club can achieve, and plus he knows he's valued here) not to force a move or put in a transfer request. He could have tried to make things difficult. There have been reports of informal talks with Madrid, but Chelsea was never really in the mood to entertain a transfer this season.

Willian was right. We should have never let go of a player like Diego Costa. You can get players with all kinds of technical ability, but top notch predators are what make the difference in the end. And agreed, Hazard is the only one who can compensate if he can improve his 17-18 goal a season tally to something well above 20

Eden Hazard calls for Chelsea to keep 'fantastic' Ruben Loftus-Cheek as midfielder seeks first-team role http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6035541/Eden-Hazard-calls-Chelsea-fantastic-Ruben-Loftus-Cheek.html

Its only a friendly. You know he never takes these kind of matches seriously After the penalties:

As if we weren't already the butt of all jokes this transfer window...

Think you should read Willian's interview in whole before looking at quotes taken out of context. At this rate we could end up calling everyone in the squad a snake or a rat or a lizard.

Here's our chance to get one back on Liverpool, considering they took away our potential keeper.