OneMoSalah

Yeah its quite a scary thought. But his holdup play is terrible although in all fairness today sometimes he did some things that probably surprised himself, as well as all of us haha.

100% agree pal. Celtic has been an excellent platform for guys and in the past the likes of van Dijk, Wanyama, Forster have gone from Celtic to the PL and now are all pretty good established players. VVD still think nowhere near £75m but that is what it is. Moussa Dembele will move eventually and Patrick Roberts is bound to make a name for himself in the PL too (Man City player but can't see him getting a huge chance there) although hes been injured a lot this season. Charly just needs games, hes got ability, he just needs a run of games and to build himself up to being used to playing 30-40 games a season because physically he isn't much, the intensity and physicality in the SPL will give him a good understanding of how football can be against teams where you have 60-70% of the ball. Like you said as well he will develop a winning mentality too at Celtic, they are clear favourites for everything but with the 6-10 games in Europe they get each season too its a decent opportunity for him to get used to playing against some bigger teams as well. I think as long as Rodgers is at Celtic, we should look at some of these younger kids coming through and try to make some sort of arrangement, not even only with Celtic, Steve Clarke is at Killie, we seen Hudson-Odoi come on and look good in a short space of time today, imagine if he had the chance to play 30-40 games a season in Scotland? He'd be a good player for somebody there.

Yeah, 100% agree. 18 months and I can count only one hand the amount of half decent games hes had. Like 3 or 4.

Was unlucky against Norwich with his shooting but today he probably didn't hit the target more than once, if at all. Solid enough player, pity he wasnt 3 or 4 years younger he could still grow a bit more but I've said it before 35m was too much but thats the English/homegrown VAT on top, isnt it?

Musonda going on loan to Celtic (apparently) will hopefully mean that he will at least have more chance being in the squad, although Charly hasn't been in it a lot either recently but still, who knows. Does anybody know how long Willian is out for?

Made his intentions clear as soon as he got the ball didn’t he, didn’t seem intimitated or nervous. He’s been excellent at youth level this season. Hopefully gets more minutes.

I still think Neymar if he were here would have better amount of goals and assists than Eden does, that is my main issue with Eden, great player etc key to the team but people keep talking about him like he has to leave to hit that next level, he has to score more goals to hit that next level, his team mates don't necessarily stop him scoring more goals because he does get into positions where your thinking go on shoot, just isnt being ruthless enough in situations where others would shoot without second guessing. Not only this season but the last 2 or so seasons, hes been excellent in a lot of things, chances created, dribbles per game etc but goals still an issue and for me will continue to be because I know how good he is, we all do, but again... needs to boost his goals. Both Mourinho and Conte have also said he can score more goals. Be surprised if Roberto Martinez hasn't said something similar. Sure Neymar loses the ball more but he is that sort of player, he takes a huge amount of risks. not that Hazard doesn't but do you think people will really tend to give a shit if Neymar was losing the ball X amount of times a game despite constantly scoring and assisting every match? That gives him a bit of leeway. In the way we play, losing the ball in the final third due to trying to be overly ambitious wouldn't necessarily be a huge issue for me, too often will one of our attackers do the hard bit then play a sideways or backwards pass instead of trying something a bit more unorthodox or perhaps something that might seem less probable to come off. Even in our MF the same issue, get so far then go backwards. Not directly an issue with Eden but the team in general, sure maybe holds him back a little bit but don't think its like stopping him from hitting that next level. I still think more can come from all our attacking players. Regarding the whole domination thing, we do dominate a lot of our opponents for large periods of the game, it can't be said that we don't concede play sometimes and come under pressure but that happens, there is plenty moments where we have the opportunity to score a few goals more, if its late on Conte shuts up shop but hes an Italian isnt he? Also I'd rather see us win 1-0 than draw or lose trying to go for a 4-0 at the 75th minute and onward. Wouldn't say that Cesc and Pedro being sold from Barca makes them bad players, Ozil and Di Maria were sold at Real, Sanchez at Barca.... Salah, De Bruyne, Lukaku etc were sold from here and have gone on to make good careers as well. But yeah fair enough, difference of opinions. People would have Salah back here because hes better than Willian or Pedro. Probably mainly due to the fact he actually does something with the ball when he gets it. Hes not predictable. We compare them because they both are world class players in their own right and play in the same position? (Unsure if sarcasm or not).

I think Neymar could do the same here as hes doing at Paris for sure. I think hes that good, 3rd best player behind Messi and Ronaldo. Talking about Paris, I don't think they have that much of a better team (the whole we are an extremely poor team thing is a bit OTT, in fact its very OTT, every team can be improved and ours is no different, even City, even United etc. its just we aren't doing it to the level they are but its hardly as if we are now a Championship side or a bottom half of the table side, we are still one of the best teams in the PL), they have an awesome attack and better full backs as well (Kurwaza maybe questionable hes good but Dani Alves is like a different level) and then Verratti in MF (player I'd love to see here, or even Rabiot, hes not exactly a flashy player but hes pretty good) but again Hazard, Kante, Christensen, Courtois, Morata, Cesc... all these guys are more than good enough and wouldn't look out of place at PSG as well. Its a lame excuse to use the structure or surrounding players to try and say this is why he isn't as good as player X because in all honesty Neymar has brought them up a level, he is so influential, his stats are unbelievable for a wide player, he can play poor and still score 2 goals and create an assist or whatever. Hazard can do that, he has done that at times here with various players, guys like Willian, Pedro, Costa, they all looked better when he played because he sees things other don't, played good combinations with them etc etc. When Hazards on tune, hes great, he will score, he will do flicks, tricks etc, but these things will go unnoticed in comparison with these top 3-5 players in the world because they can do all that too but they have very good and consistent stats. I still think Neymar will be the next guy to win the Ballon D'Or other than Messi or Ronaldo, he is the most probable guy. I don't want to sound like a prick (but probably will here), I'm assuming your Belgian (if not your username is very confusing lol) and there also may be a bit of bias (although it really has nothing to do with anything, fans of clubs and international teams tend to prefer their guys over player X or Y). There is still a lot of things Hazard can do, he really should be scoring at least 20 goals a season and also regularly because he is good enough to do it I feel, here or anywhere else, these world class attacking players, (Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Lewandowski, Suarez - regardless of their team mates, their international team mates, opposition, level of league), you expect them to score a certain number of goals a year and they do or they score more. Suarez at Liverpool is a prime example of how Hazard can be like that, continue to get even better here, score more, assist more, become more consistent, play poorly and still score 2 or create 2 etc. Lets say for instance if we were to take Suarez out of that Liverpool team the year they finished 2nd (can't get over that Demba Ba goal still) and they would not have finished 2nd. Hazard has been key in PL wins for us too. He can go that next level, continue to do so again but be better, set his own bar higher. This is why I think Neymar is better and more likely to be that number 1 player before Eden is. I know Eden brings much more when he plays too, chances created etc but stil; think he should be being pushed to score more goals, particularly if we are gong to see him more as a second striker or as a false 9.

Think that boat has sailed. I don't think hes anywhere near as good as people thought he was or what he thinks he is. He was pretty decent under AVB for us and one season at Liverpool but still think hes vastly overrated. If he stayed and played more as a right winger here he'd of been a mainstay, his skill set is more applicable to that role for me, although he got extremely greedy and shot almost every 2nd time he touched the ball before AVB went haha.

Please that is a lame excuse. Neymar has elevated PSG to another level along with Mbappe and Dani Alves. They were pretty poor the season before hand (big players performing extremely poorly. Platform or not doesn't deter from the fact Neymar is more likely to win the Ballon D'Or than Hazard because he is a better player, who is more consistent as well as being involved in more goals. In all competitions Neymar has scored 24 goals and made 14 assists. That is 38 goals he has been involved with, in half a season (15G 11A in league, 6 goals 3 assists in CL, 3 more in French Cups). Where as Eden on the other hand has got 12 and made 4 assists (8G 2A in PL, 3G 2A in CL, 1G in League Cup). 16 goals. If Eden had those sort of numbers to go with some of his performances he'd be right up there for me, in terms of top 3 attacking midfield/forward players but he doesn't and that's why he will never win Ballon D'Or. One day he will be unplayable, score 2 and look head and shoulders above everybody in the PL, then the next week hes somebody else, 0 goals. He needs a ruthless streak in him to add more goals, because I know stats are overrated and people mention about who plays for us and who plays for PSG/Barca/Real depending on who we compare him to but there is so many moments in Chelsea games where I watch him and hes around the box or in the box and I'm thinking cmon shoot, score, but he doesn't.. he passes, if he just thought less or didn't try to be so fancy with some of the positions he gets in and just do what Diego Costa was very good at, hammering the ball in even if it hits the keeper, he'd easy add another 5 goals a season. Fair enough hes not the biggest concern in the squad but I look around Europe and see Neymar, Dybala, Suarez, Lewandowski, Messi, Ronaldo whoever else, scoring shit loads for fun (or mostof the time), Hazard has got huge levels of ability but he just lacks that killer instinct. Just on the whole general Neymar/Hazard/Ballon D'Or subject.

Neymar proved at Barca that without Messi, they could rely on him to be a catalyst. He was the best player on the park in that PSG game by a country mile (Messi and Suarez involved too), which is the greatest match in the CL that I have ever seen, although Munich was pretty good in terms of just how everything fell into place. I've never seen Hazard put in a performance like that one Neymar did v PSG or against Bayern this year in the CL but many won't, particularly that PSG game, the performance was something Messi would of been proud of. I think Neymar or Suarez would win the Ballon D'Or if Messi or Ronaldo weren't involved.

Interesting that he has his heart set on Barca move. Hes a good talent but they are more than well stocked in MF: Busquets, Paulinho, Rakitic, Coutinho, Iniesta, Andre Gomes, Carles Alena... can't see it happening anytime soon unless they are to offload at least 2 MF players, although they'd probably sell Rakitic or Gomes for right offer. I'd like to see us go after somebody in this mould, think Arthur is able to control games and is very mobile. Also on Barca and their MF I think Messi is that good that he could eventually play as a more offensive minded MF player when hes 35, 36, 37 for them with ease because he is that good, wouldn't be surprised, I think he could play to hes 40 and still be an outstanding player - might seem far fetched in some peoples views but don't see why he couldn't because he is capable of amazing assists, key passes etc.

"Chelsea board losing patience for finally being criticised - if you want to call it that - by a manager" perhaps a better and more truthful headline.

He would likely only leave if PSG were to sign Alex Sandro. He'd be forced out more than anything because I would imagine he'd rather stay at Paris anyway but who knows. He won't be cheap if we do go for him.

Is he really a "little off" from those two? Honestly I'd think Neymar is the closest to them and Neymar for me is better than Hazard. Guys like Suarez and Lewandowski (ok they are CFs) are world class attacking players too. He may be one of the best in the world in your eyes but it has to be said there is much more chance of that being in the top 6 -10 as opposed to the top 3 or 4. The consistency is there at times but also it isn't but it is his goal output really let hims down I think. If he was 20-25 a season minimum in the PL people would say yes hes as good as Ronaldo or as good as Neymar.

Based on what? He hasn't played as a right back for about 3 years now, its so obvious hes a DM now so how can you say that? Even then has he ever actually played as a wing back ever? Sure hes a good player but signing a DM to play RWB is just a stupid idea for me.

Think Ronaldo since moving to Madrid, dribbles less and shoots more yeah but his game intelligence is so vastly superior to what it was in the PL I think. He ghosts into spaces, runs less, can still play 1v1 if he needs to etc. Authentically pleasing side of his game gone or not you cannot say he isn't better for it. Figo was excellent player as well I don't disagree. Hazard doesn't need to shoot every time he has the ball but there are so many obvious times where he should and he doesn't, until he gets this ruthless streak or nasty streak whatever you want to call it into his game and starts hitting 20, 25 a season minimum then will he be considered a potential Ballon D'Or winner once the likes of Ronaldo and Messi fade off but I can see Messi being a contender for another few years yet because he is just an irresistible football, he is phenomenal.

Anybody else think losing Azpilicueta would be worse than losing Hazard or Courtouis? Like mentioned above, he has a genuine emotional link with the club and fans, how many others in our squad have the same sort of link? Not many, if any at all. Then throw in his ability on top of that as well as the fact he is a top top top professional.

Hes meant to be quick right? Looks as if hes treading water whenever he gets going. Not good.

Yes maybe but the likes of Messi and Ronaldo have shown that people can put in great performances consistently and also score lots and lots of goals. That is why people regard Ronaldo and Messi the best of all time (disagree about Ronaldo but Messi is definitely the best of all time) That is probably now a days what people expect from the worlds best. Hazards goal output will continue to hold him back in these things.

I wouldn't say hes not world class but I get what you mean, he doesn't have those goals and assists to put him up there with world class attacking players and quite frankly I don't think he ever will even hit over 20 a season in a league season. Which is why I think as a second striker he can do better. He is just too laid back, sure he will play excellent in some games and look at a level above everybody in the PL but the guys like Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, Dybala... they are constantly striving to beat somebodies goal tallies or to beat their previous tallies. Ronaldo and Messi are superhuman in comparison to everyone else (well Messi is a different level to Ronaldo entirely for me but), I think somebody like Neymar or Dybala has more chance of winning the Ballon D'Or than Hazard, because they are driven to be the number 1 player in the world, Neymar left for PSG so he wasn't in Messi's shadow.. that says it all. Dybala is probably going to leave Juventus in the summer or next for a huge club and become a top 3 or top 5 player in the world. Defenders are also extremely underappreciated when it comes to these sort of things but different story for a different day. Its frustrating because we all know how good Eden is and he clearly knows but he seems very comfortable to stay at the level hes on. Not that hes lazy or that etc but its just a minor flaw I think, hes confident but he isn't looking to surpass what hes done in football, sure it may sound like he should be more selfish yeah and it might hurt the team but Ronaldo and Messi have won these awards churning out these amazing numbers and consistency for years when their teams win massive titles or not. Like mentioned in other threads, on this forum and other social media platforms as well as the fanbase at games, there is a percentage who seem to believe than Eden cannot get any better because hes at Chelsea as opposed to what I think, that hes not as driven or ambitious as a Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo etc. He could become a top 3-5 attacking player in the world here, only he can do it though. Which is why I laugh every time I see "he needs to leave to play with players of a similar quality" but for me, the great players can make those around them look good.

Why loan him? Palmieri hasn't signed but its obvious he will make the move even if Dzeko doesn't. Its odd we haven't tried to get Schalke to buy him, every time we loan him for 6 months we lose 6 months value off whats remaining on his contract - may sound stupid but why not sell him for 10-15m euros and be done with it?

Haha. Not like Zidane is picking players to sign at Real, hes obviously a yes man. He'd probably fit here alright in that regard. But we need somebody willing to demand a shake up of the club from top to bottom if Conte goes in the summer (ideally he would be the man to do it and has probably tried to get more power in that regard). Only way to make progress is to implement changes at the top, not get rid of Roman before somebody thinks that what I mean but he gets rid of the deadwood like Maria, unless she does an Emenalo.

Haha. Dont be saying that, its Hazard FC not Chelsea FC remember?!?!?!

He had played 0 minutes this season bar like an hour in a closed door friendly last week? I mean honestly for fuck sakes give the man a chance. Hes going to need time to build his match fitness, like others had said in previous threads from the game last night, he wasn't ready to play that length of time and I agree but the Willian injury was unfortunate. Didn't think Barkley was completely invisible but in terms of being willing to take the ball on the half turn and drive forward he did alright. That is a big part of his game. I don't see the likes of Baka or Kante taking it on the spin and doing the same. He gives us a different option. People were willing to give Baka time to build his match fitness at start of the season because he didn't get a pre-season with the club due to injury/duration his transfer took as well as Eden who was injured so I think its only fair that somebody who last played last season is given the same chance to build match fitness. Suppose you won't be the only person to think he was invisible but take that into account. Nobody compared him to Lampard, Lampard basically was a box to box midfielder who scored goals, Ross Barkley is a number 10, maybe eventually he will be somebody who can play as the most advanced midfielder or a deeper role but for now I see him as an attacking midfielder. He has the potential to be moulded into a more disciplined/box to box player yes but give it time.