Greyco

@ Stingray: he hasn't played the majority of his games as 6 at all at Werder Bremen. Schaaf uses a 4-1-4-1 system with Junuzovic as holding midfielder and De Bruyne and Hunt in front of him who both have license to roam about and make infiltrating runs. Elia plays left wing and Arnautovic on the right with Petersen as striker. He's been played on that spot for the majority of his time at Werder. Although they've put him up as a striker a couple of times and used him on the left wing when one of the wingers was injured bringing in Ekici at midfield. Left wing was where he's been used the last couple of games.

What risk on an unproven player? He's just won the player of the year award in a team that won a league title. It might not be in one of the finest leagues but doing that aged 18 is still a remarkable achievement. Don't make him into an unknown youth team player the scouting team picked up somewhere. His name and fame was widely known before he went to Chelsea and there were many potential suitors who were ready to take a 'risk' on him. Chelsea's involvement with Courtois' development and achievements has been very little indeed, unlike you're making out. This isn't the eighties anymore where clubs can play despots and order players around. They're employees with rights and if Chelsea goes against the wishes of Courtois then that could make a very cloudy further working relationship. I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea caved in and granted him an extra year at Atletico, if they'd still want him.

Mignolet has been doing outstanding for Sunderland. He's been one of the best goalkeepers in the EPL in 2012. He was voted best player in the northeast by the local journo's last month and if you'd check their forums they'll tell you he's been their player of the season by far. So yes, coming into a new league next season at a midtable (or worse) team is a pretty big risk to his starting position in the Belgian squad which is highly contested as it is. Furthermore, it's been Atletico that has been paying Courtois. And it's been Atletico that has been paying Chelsea quite a huge sum for his services. The same Atletico that also bid for him when he was at Genk but was eventually blown out of the water by the higher transfer fee Chelsea paid. If Chelsea hadn't come into it, he'd be playing at Atletico just the same. His transfer rights just wouldn't be owned by Chelsea. Bit absurd to say he should be thankfull to Chelsea for loaning him out the past years as he wouldn't have signed here as they hadn't promised him that. You've got to realise that Courtois is in a very strong bargaining position here.

And you believe Courtois is just going to accept that? Like I said in this thread before: Courtois is an a fierce competitive battle with Sunderlands Mignolet for the GK spot in Belgium's starting 11. Next year they look to go to the world cup with arguably their best squad in history, hoping to emulate or surpass the achievements of the 1986 side which reached the semi-finals. At the moment he is: - Incredibly highly rated by press, media and oppossition in Spain, thus being linked to both Real Madrid as Barcelona - A fan favourite at Atletico - Enjoying himself and settled extremely well with his fellow pro's - Competing for trophies - Playing in a side that is, imo, at the moment a better side than Chelsea - A starter for Belgium - Getting paid a very nice salary by Atletico - Qualifying for Champions League next year. And he's supposed to just give that up to go to a depressing midtable side in England with little chance of glory? Thus even risking his spot for the upcoming world cup with Belgium? The few comments he made the past weeks already indicate he prefers to stay on a 3rd year at Atletico, and none should blame him for that. Why trade all he has in?

I've always wondered where this number came from. The French and Belgian press always named a number of € 550.000 each month before taxes, or € 130k a week. Shame he got himself in this situation. Tarnishes a reputation and could brand him for years to come. The media frenzy about this is already way over the top tho. Come on, naming it assault? I would hardly class it as a kick. Nevertheless, he took action in his own hands and that's reason enough to warrant a red card. But should be dealed with similar as the Cabaye-issue at Everton, regular 3 match ban.

You've got to take into account that Courtois is in a very tough competitive race with Mignolet for the starter position in this emerging Belgian side, which if things go according to plan will make it to Brazil 2014. As you might have noticed, Mignolet is having a brilliant season and has been one of the best GK's in the league the past year. Courtois can't risk getting stuck anywhere with limited playing time and loose his place in that starting eleven. Wouldn't be surprised if he'd push for a last year at Atletico where he feels safe and appreciated and sure of Champions League football. Now, I still don't believe he's on par with Cech. Atletico's defence has to get the greatest credit in his amount of clean sheets and goals conceited. He's faced the least amount of shots in La Liga, and to be completely fair, is ranked amonst the bottom of keepers when you look at save %. Nevertheless: he's a very consistent keeper and statistics don't tell the whole story, he's great at organising and coaching his defenders and portraying a sense of security. Pretty dominant in the air aswell if you look at the standard in La Liga. But I wouldn't outright swap him with Cech just yet.

Oh noes I had just warmed up a warm chocolate drink, got comfy under my blanket and flexed my fingers in anticipation. Back to shoveling snow then I guess. tfb: I'd rather get back on topic. Much more prefer reading sensible opinions about Hazard.

Have you even read the content my post? I wonder how you can interprete calling Henrique daft is defending him? You do realise that my last 2 posts take into account more than what has been said the last few pages? I'm not even reacting agitated towards Stingray or even singling him out. It's rather the other way around with him, and now you, getting fired up because of one little sentence: "Have to agree with TrippingStep that a few of the other Belgian posters are blinded by their love for Hazard." Well if you fit the booth yourselves... There are a few posters here that can't seem to accept someone coming in this thread and saying Hazard had a poor game. They feel the urge to respond to that every time, and retaliating over and over again with the same clichés: "He's only that old, he's new to the league, ..." As if those posters don't know that. It's rather insulting to their intelligence. That's something Henrique pointed out in the past and I agree with. That doesn't mean I defend him or agree with the other daft things he said in here the past months. Hazard is a phenomenal player and great prospect for Chelsea. That doesn't mean one should put on a tin hat every time you'd make a remark in here that he had a poor one. And just to be clear, I think his performances the past weeks have been getting better and better after the dip in form he had.

Blowing hot and cold? Some people have a broader perspective of things then merely looking in terms of black and white. Throughout this whole topic you've been practically unable to deal with any criticism directed at Hazard, dealing with it as some kind of personal attack, unlike those other posters. You keep kicking in open doors and have been reiterating every known cliché for months. You're on the other side of the pendulum as Henrique. Who certainly has been daft in most of his arguments here but also has some valid points which he's free to express. Henrique contributed more than what you're pointing out above, and yes that's daft as every sensible poster would know. Yet he's right that some people here react as frenzied bloodhounds when Hazard gets criticism.

Have to agree with TrippingStep that a few of the other Belgian posters are blinded by their love for Hazard. He's been pretty underwhelming so far this season compared with his days at Lille. Yet you can't deny he's made an impact. Henrique goes a bit far in his criticism but has some points. Yet don't think Chelsea overpaid for Hazard, it's not only potential they bought. Hazard has been ripping up the French League the past seasons and broke several individual records. First foreigner to win young player of the year awards, first to win it consecutive and youngest ever winner of the player of the year award. You've got to go back to Ronaldinho at PSG to find a player that had a similar impact in Ligue1. And it hasn't been bits of flashes he's showed a Lille that got the major clubs interested. He was at the heart of the team that brought them trophies after waiting for decades. So he's performed at an established league with a fine pedigree of players that made it to the top. Compare him to David Silva, brought in for £24m in 2010, a similar big money move. In his first season he got 4 goals and 8 assists in 35 games (EPL). Hazard, costing Chelsea £32m in 2012, so far has 5 goals and 9 assists in 21 games. Compared to that his value seems spot on no?

It's natural Mavuba almost plays between the central defenders, it's to compensate the very agressive and offensive backs they have in Debuchy and Digne. And I remember the games against Valencia and Liverpool quite different. Besides those were in the 09/10 season in a Europa League Lille showed not much interest in, as they did the following year. They were chasing CL-football with a small squad of core-players. Under Garcia Lille improved year after year and earned the trophies to go with their exciting style. The side with Cabaye-Gervinho-Sow-Hazard-Rami played brilliant stuff and scored lot's of goals in a league with a low scoring average. They gained widespread accolades for their enthralling football. And here you are praising Puel who is one of the dullest coaches around.

Erm wtf? Garcia is a phenomenal coach. You know he took Lille, not one of the great powerhouses in French football, to a historical double? Besides he was able to guide them to consecutive champions league qualifications. He did a tremendous job at Lille. Plus, he made Lille the most entertaining teams to watch in the French league and has had a profound impact on the development of several players. Look at the players Lille delivered to other top leagues the last years. And even now a great talent in Digne is establishing himself. It's very opportunistic evaluating him on his CL-campaigns. Last season, despite losing Cabaye and Rami, Lille were actually the 2nd best team in their group after Inter but had an incredible amount of bad luck converting their domination into goals. This season Lille has been disappointing, but then again, look at the players they lost. They're rebuilding this season and now have a great new stadium that should propel them into competing for CL-qualification every season. You didn't like the way Lille played is really an astonishing comment. They've been dubbed 'Le Barça du Nord' the last seasons and had everyone praising their marvelous style.

Les connaisseurs will know that Hazard always has a dip in form from october to december, even when he was at Lille. He doesn't play bad by any means but not to the full of his abilities. The past seasons he always kicked it on a notch from february till the end of the season. I'm curious if he can emulate that at Chelsea. Now there are a few other reasons why he isn't shining as he was at Lille. Lille were often dubbed the Barcelona of the Nord because of their playing style. When Hazard and Cabaye were there they had an enormous majority of ball possession. They basicly defended by preventing possession of the ball to the opponents. This enabled Hazard to reserve his high intensity runs forward and you saw more dazzling runs from him. At Chelsea this is not the case. He has to do a lot of high intensity runs to the back, sprinting back to cover the fullbacks. For me this is the biggest reason Chelsea are dropping behind at the moment, the failure to have better ball retention. Hazard, Mata and Oscar excell in retention of the ball and aren't that suited to be pacing back all the time. However, more than half the squad isn't used to this. Especially when other teams pressure Chelsea high up the field, the defensive element of the squad have problems reaching the front. You can't play the high ball with the players up there. I'd think Chelsea would have a lot more success if a few players get more assured when in possession of the ball. The possession% should get up to near 60% (like ManU) or higher instead of the 'mere' 54% now. Especially if we'd want to see the best out of Mata-Hazard-Oscar. ps: Some of the other Belgian posters should take a chill-pill, Hazard isn't and shouldn't be immune to criticism. I don't think his age is a valid argument either. He's one of the most experienced and mature players around for his age. He has been playing sub-par the last few months and you shouldn't immediatly get on your horse when other posters point that out.

Would've been stupid to take Hazard off, he was creating the most of the front 4 today. Check the individual statistics on http://www.whoscored...elsea-Liverpool The statistics on there usually give a clear picture who was playing good/bad. Oscar was playing ok but was missing the cutting edge a bit in the final third.

Forgive me saying so Kojo, but you seem to have a very strange understanding of the concept flair. The general consensus seems to be that Hazard has flair in abundance. Hence why a lot of the neutrals love watching him play and he gets a lot of plaudits. Every time a ball is played into Hazard there is a sense of expectation, that in the blink of an eye you could miss something great. (eg. the pass to Mata vs Tottenham) Then there are the little flicks and tricks he does all the time, dinking the ball forward with the side of his foot to the striker etc. And then there is a certain elegance in the way he handles the ball and acts on the pitch. See the contrast with Rooney last sunday, no technical slouch we can agree. Everything with Hazard looks effortless while Rooney has a more labouring style. Flair is not the same as constantly turning and taking oppossing players on, that's being direct. I'm still a bit baffled by the people who misjudged the type of player Hazard is. He's not a player like Ronaldo or Messi that will go on a scoring spree. Nor is he a winger like Sanchez. He's an offensive playmaker that has the ability to draw players to him, eliminate some and play someone else in. At Lille he had consecutive seasons topping the charts in pass completion and passes given in the oppossing half. He was the main focal point of the team, dictating their style and the pace at which they played. A feat he earned praise for from Zidane. If Lille needed a breath or were holding onto a lead he would drop deeper and encourage the team to hold possession of the ball. A feat that this new Chelsea has still to manage, with the type of players Chelsea should be defending more by holding onto possession. And if a difference should be made he would pick up the ball and run at the oppossition comitting defenders to him and playing in his freed up teammates. Now at Chelsea we've only seen glimpses of that where he stepped up. He's still playing a lot in the margins in of the game. He's getting a lot less of the ball then at Lille. Chelsea does have a lot less possession of the ball then Lille did last seasons. Add the fact that there are a lot more of quality players combined while he still has a little lack of confindence to impose himself more. So there is definitly a lot more to come from him and if Chelsea stays in the championship race until march then there is a genuine great chance for a prize. Since those 3 last months of the season have always been the time where Hazard has stepped up a notch and delivered phenomenal performances week after week.

Didn't he assist Oscar for the first against Juve?

Was just looking at the atletico forum and stumbled across this thread: http://www.colchonero.com/courtois_mejor_que_de_gea-itemap-1-108752-1.htm Seems a lot of their fans already rate him higher than De Gea.