Eden Hazard

[Weckerz 3,781]

Absolute nonsense. Players like Fabregas,Costa, matic, Thibo and JT are every bit as influential as him and in the first half of the season, the former 3 were just as influential, if not more, than him. Unless dribbling multiple players and leaving them for dead is your definition of influential/carrying the team.

Sure he's been consistent all year and has been our best player since late December but the idea that we are a one man team is nonsensical and inaccurate. His ability to stay healthy is the only thing we had struggle to replace because there are quite a few players out there who can replicate his contribution to the team namely Isco,Neymar,Reus,Bale,James et al.whether they are realistic target is a different matter entirely.

Please... Cesc, Hazard and Costa were great in the first half of the season, Cesc has been bang average since then, Costa too keeping his injuries in mind. Matic hasn't been nearly as good this season as some would make you believe.

JT and Thibo are defenders, obviously I didn't mean Hazard carried our defence, thought it was pretty clear I meant attack.

My definition of carrying the team is not dribbling players and leaving them for dead, no. It's being decisive every week, like Hazard. The notion that Neymar/Reus/whoever would just walk into this team and replace Hazard is more nonsensical than saying Hazard carries the team, or at least the attack these last few months.

[lionsden 4,689]

Please... Cesc, Hazard and Costa were great in the first half of the season, Cesc has been bang average since then, Costa too keeping his injuries in mind. Matic hasn't been nearly as good this season as some would make you believe.

JT and Thibo are defenders, obviously I didn't mean Hazard carried our defence, thought it was pretty clear I meant attack.

My definition of carrying the team is not dribbling players and leaving them for dead, no. It's being decisive every week, like Hazard. The notion that Neymar/Reus/whoever would just walk into this team and replace Hazard is more nonsensical than saying Hazard carries the team, or at least the attack these last few months.

"and in the first half of the season, the former 3 were just as influential, if not more, than him."

[Weckerz 3,781]

"and in the first half of the season, the former 3 were just as influential, if not more, than him."

Point is Hazard STILL IS, while the others have faded, thought it didn't need explaining.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

We as fans have the tendency to overrate our players and lately the way he's been elevated to godly status and compared with legendary players around here does support the claim greatly.

I'm struggling and I'm sure I'm not the only one with that how to praise player enough without being charged about fanboyism and how to criticize player without being charged about hatred and moaning.

Saying that he's top 6 player right now is elevating him to godly status ?

Sure he's been consistent all year and has been our best player since late December but the idea that we are a one man team is nonsensical and inaccurate.

But we're one man team in any big game for 2 years now. From the last months it's also the case with smaller games.

[iseah100 5,612]

We as fans have the tendency to overrate our players and lately the way he's been elevated to godly status and compared with legendary players around here does support the claim greatly.

Scholes, Zidane, Neville, etc. Have all praised him as well recently, what are they?

[stroey 2,525]

Scholes, Zidane, Neville, etc. Have all praised him as well recently, what are they?

Yups and don't forget the huge praise from Henry recently.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

What are isco and Benzema ?

Benzema isn't a dribbler and Isco while great, is a midfielder not a forward. They need a Neymar/Messi is what I'm trying to say.

[Oscar 441]

Madrid realistically don't need anyone.

They just purchased a fantastic brazilian dm and have casimero still on loan and have jese waiting on the wings. The only position that madrid need is maybe a CF and DE Gea.

However, Perez needs a new toy every year. If zidane takes over madrid, which I highly highly doubt, than maybe hazard can be his prize reward. However, if you think Hazard going to fit in without any trouble, that is where your wrong. We all saw it in Belgium, where he isn't the primary focus of attack how he plays.....

[The Skipper 20,593]

a fantastic brazilian dm

Lucas Silva correct? Very exciting talent.

[Rapkun 668]

Benzema isn't a dribbler and Isco while great, is a midfielder not a forward. They need a Neymar/Messi is what I'm trying to say.

Isco is very similar to Hazard imo. The difference is small. I'd say Isco is slightly better technically but Eden is faster. none of them however is able to produce extrordinary stats like Messi/Neymar even if given the chance. Heck, Bale is closer to that player than Eden is.

[JDY 1,290]

I like them. Who are the better ones you recommend? Can't hurt watching more eden videos.

There was a great 20 minute video of him a while ago. Seems to have been taken down though

[DYC. 7,542]

Scholes, Zidane, Neville, etc. Have all praised him as well recently, what are they?

Fanboys.

Hazard is enjoying an incredible season for me. His class would be more obvious if he were to play in a more dominant team, with better teammates (in offence). Whether he can keep it up and improve remains to be seen.

Lionsden is right about the tendency of fans to overrate their own (the same can be said about overrating players of other teams btw). But fans also overrate past greats. Big moments on the big stage define careers. People talk about the likes of Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Carlos, Del Piero etc. as if they were these magical players, producing top performances on a weekly basis, every single season. And that's a lie. The good is remembered and the bad is forgotten. Zidane's CL final goal alone skyrocketed his stock to infinity and beyond. And we will do the same with the current generation. I can already imagine everybody reminiscing about Iniesta's goal vs Chelsea in 10-20 years. Or what about Messi, possibly the tiniest player on the pitch, leaping into the air, almost levitating, and heading that ball in like Batitusta in the 2009 CL final. Because that's we do.

But then you hear Zidane talk about Hazard for example, or Romario about Neymar, and you see how these past greats recognise greatness in the new boys. But Hazard lacks big moments in his career. That one highlight that you will always remember, one brilliant piece of play with the whole world watching. Or something like a devastating performance in the semi-final of the CL. I think Hazard's biggest moment was his goal against Bayern. But that was just the Supercup, and the goal wasn't really special. He's only 24 though, so he still has time.

[Stingray 9,441]

It would be nice instead of mirroring Hazard to another players skillset, to do the reverse. What and how many players can do what Eden does. That is the question imo.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Isco is very similar to Hazard imo. The difference is small. I'd say Isco is slightly better technically but Eden is faster. none of them however is able to produce extrordinary stats like Messi/Neymar even if given the chance. Heck, Bale is closer to that player than Eden is.

I understand you're an Isco fan but there isn't a single thing Isco is better than Hazard at. It's not a contest.

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

Eden Hazard skills with some F2 Freestylers.

[Stingray 9,441]

Eden Hazard skilling it with some F2 Freestylers.

He looks so much in control of that ball ... :drool:

[Polo7 3,496]

Hazard has been our brightest and most consistent spark this season. And if we eventually lose him, he will be very hard to replace. This is not an opinion, it's fact!

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Scholes, Zidane, Neville, etc. Have all praised him as well recently, what are they?

Forget about Neville. He has always had the tendency to make sly digs at Hazard when I hear him. I think he is still bitter he snubbed his club in 2012. If Hazard were a United player, I'm sure he'll be worshipping him the same way he does De Gea. As much as I like Neville, he is not immune from the partisan rubbish sometimes, if you pay close attention