Eden Hazard

[It's too big 625]

I think people need to get real. You have posters talking about us needing to sign elite level players to accompany Hazard LOL, I swear people live in dream land and not the real world. I would like to take a toke on whatever you're smoking. Comparing our back up/squad players to world class first team attackers is laughable. How many clubs, big ones at that, have elite level talent all over the field? Please tell me. PSG and City are the anomaly, not the norm and even PSG. Real Madrid have Ronaldo and who else? Bale is a crock and not elite any longer, Benzema is shot, who else? Barcelona have Messi and Suarez, and are bringing in Dembele only because they sold Neymar for 200m.

Man Utd don't have elite players all over the field and even Bayern's once elite players are aging and diminishing in ability and even they don't spend like crazy. Some fans expect us to go out and spend 100m on one player, and another 80m on another player, and 100m on another etc, it just doesn't work like that. No matter how many times people are educated on a club's finances, they still can't get it through their heads that almost zero clubs spend like that without selling big. Unless a club uncovers a gem from their youth academy or in the market for cheap/free, it's impossible to spend those numbers. This is not Fifa, and the sooner people realise that the better. Although I wouldn't hold my breath on that smh. 

[Pizy 18,897]

Honestly wonder what we'd do in terms of replacements. Do we go crazy and buy a superstar ourselves? Unfortunately, I think it's far more likely that we go out and buy a couple of talented up and comers like Zaha and Leon Bailey. If so it'll be a long while before we win the title or compete in the CL again.

Surely Barca can't afford both Coutinho and Griezmann? Griezmann would be my top choice to replace Eden. Playing just behind or next to Morata and I don't think our level would drop too much. Assuming we get at least £150m for Hazard if he goes (which we better do) that'll easily pay for Griezmann with money to spare.

[Unionjack 7,531]

Look we knew the day would come sooner or later. But I was always under the impression he wanted to play for ZZ and with him signing tat new contract it was going to be sooner rather than later. And with Real losing to Barca you can just imagine the conversations he had with Perez after it.

But I wondered IF there was any truth about CR vetoing Eden going after his Messi statement.

What we have to make sure is we get a fuckin good deal for him and spunk the lot on players - maybe swapsies?

[The Skipper 20,609]

8 hours ago, Robguima said:

Finally, he needs to show up at the international stage. It’s usually KDB pulling the strings and Eden pretty subdued in WC/important games.

Nope. It's the other way around. Hazard is much better than KDB for Belgium.

[The Skipper 20,609]

3 hours ago, It's too big said:

 

Two contrasting statements there. One says he sees himself at Real, the other says he's open to options and is waiting to extend contract. Hmm, this is why twitter is unreliable. 

Eh? That has nothing to do with Twitter: that's just two different reporters having a different take on something said. Could have done the exact same thing on TV or in an article for example.

[The Skipper 20,609]

23 minutes ago, It's too big said:

I think people need to get real. You have posters talking about us needing to sign elite level players to accompany Hazard LOL, I swear people live in dream land and not the real world. I would like to take a toke on whatever you're smoking. Comparing our back up/squad players to world class first team attackers is laughable. How many clubs, big ones at that, have elite level talent all over the field? Please tell me. PSG and City are the anomaly, not the norm and even PSG. Real Madrid have Ronaldo and who else? Bale is a crock and not elite any longer, Benzema is shot, who else? Barcelona have Messi and Suarez, and are bringing in Dembele only because they sold Neymar for 200m.

Man Utd don't have elite players all over the field and even Bayern's once elite players are aging and diminishing in ability and even they don't spend like crazy. Some fans expect us to go out and spend 100m on one player, and another 80m on another player, and 100m on another etc, it just doesn't work like that. No matter how many times people are educated on a club's finances, they still can't get it through their heads that almost zero clubs spend like that without selling big. Unless a club uncovers a gem from their youth academy or in the market for cheap/free, it's impossible to spend those numbers. This is not Fifa, and the sooner people realise that the better. Although I wouldn't hold my breath on that smh. 

I don't think anyone is saying we should have 11 world class players on the pitch, people are saying we should get in a few more elite players to compliment Hazard. Asking for an improvement on the likes of Alonso, Willian, Zappacosta etc. is not the same as people thinking football is FIFA. 

We've barely spent anything for years now so your financial argument of us not being able to afford a big signing here or there doesn't hold much weight.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

25 minutes ago, Pizy said:

Honestly wonder what we'd do in terms of replacements. Do we go crazy and buy a superstar ourselves? Unfortunately, I think it's far more likely that we go out and buy a couple of talented up and comers like Zaha and Leon Bailey. If so it'll be a long while before we win the title or compete in the CL again.

Surely Barca can't afford both Coutinho and Griezmann? Griezmann would be my top choice to replace Eden. Playing just behind or next to Morata and I don't think our level would drop too much. Assuming we get at least £150m for Hazard if he goes (which we better do) that'll easily pay for Griezmann with money to spare.

But Antoine is known for his predatory movement, link up play and finishing ability. He is not someone who will get on the ball and protect it from multiple players or someone who can go past 2-3 players in one go. Essentially he is a different kind of attacker to Eden and don't think he alone will be able to fill the Eden sized gap in our attack.

[It's too big 625]

38 minutes ago, The Skipper said:

I don't think anyone is saying we should have 11 world class players on the pitch, people are saying we should get in a few more elite players to compliment Hazard. Asking for an improvement on the likes of Alonso, Willian, Zappacosta etc. is not the same as people thinking football is FIFA. 

We've barely spent anything for years now so your financial argument of us not being able to afford a big signing here or there doesn't hold much weight.

I just don't see us spending a €100m or more on one player, let alone two or three. I don't know the minutiae of our finances, but It doesn't seem likely. I think it's also quite difficult to actually acquire so called "elite" players because most of them are playing for very good clubs and they're very important to those clubs. It's fine to say get in this player or that player, and they have to be world class, but it's easy said than done. On the flipside, if a club wants to sign one of our best players we're not going to let go unless the player desperately wants to leave or a club offers eye watering money for them. That's why I think people need to be more realistic in their expectations. Very few clubs in this country, or even across Europe have world class players in various positions. We certainly aren't the first choice for the elite of the elite either, so our choices will be limited there. 

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

This is the first time something decisive has come concerning a transfer from Hazard's camp, his father no less. I don't understand the obsession with Madrid though. There's Barcelona and Bayern. Fuck Madrid. Besides they look to be on the decline. 

If Hazard does leave next season I don't trust our board to adequately replace him. Our board hasn't shown any capacity to sign the handful of players out there capable of replacing a player like Eden. I think if this does happen we will go the Spurs route with the Gareth Bale money. 

[nono 791]

I'm excited if he's sold. Just imagine how many Drinkwaters and Zappacostas we can sign with that kind of money.

[LAM09 7,050]

I just don't see us spending a €100m or more on one player, let alone two or three. I don't know the minutiae of our finances, but It doesn't seem likely. I think it's also quite difficult to actually acquire so called "elite" players because most of them are playing for very good clubs and they're very important to those clubs. It's fine to say get in this player or that player, and they have to be world class, but it's easy said than done. On the flipside, if a club wants to sign one of our best players we're not going to let go unless the player desperately wants to leave or a club offers eye watering money for them. That's why I think people need to be more realistic in their expectations. Very few clubs in this country, or even across Europe have world class players in various positions. We certainly aren't the first choice for the elite of the elite either, so our choices will be limited there. 

I'd honestly be shocked if someone close to Hazard's level didn't replace him. I think anyone apart from Messi in the world is obtainable regardless of who they play for & loyality is a thing of the past.

[Blusan Alamb 295]

If Madrid make an approach for Hazard, he will surely leave. The big question is whether they really want Hazard or not..

[Unionjack 7,531]

3 minutes ago, Blusan Alamb said:

The big question is whether they really want Hazard or not..

I know they're probably all bollox but if the reports are anything at all to go by Mz Cristine dont want nothing to do with Eden which I thank her for!

[The Skipper 20,609]

3 hours ago, It's too big said:

I just don't see us spending a €100m or more on one player, let alone two or three. I don't know the minutiae of our finances, but It doesn't seem likely. I think it's also quite difficult to actually acquire so called "elite" players because most of them are playing for very good clubs and they're very important to those clubs. It's fine to say get in this player or that player, and they have to be world class, but it's easy said than done. On the flipside, if a club wants to sign one of our best players we're not going to let go unless the player desperately wants to leave or a club offers eye watering money for them. That's why I think people need to be more realistic in their expectations. Very few clubs in this country, or even across Europe have world class players in various positions. We certainly aren't the first choice for the elite of the elite either, so our choices will be limited there. 

Well, the club literally just released the figures for 16/17 and we made a £15m profit. That’s without CL football and also with the -£40m we had to pay Adidas to terminate the sponsorship. We really aren’t as poor as you’re trying to make out. 

[Jase 43,479]

Wonder if he will get any 'special' treatment from the fans tomorrow. Don't think it'll be anything vile but might be interesting to see.

[DDA 9,937]

4 minutes ago, The Skipper said:

Well, the club literally just released the figures for 16/17 and we made a £15m profit. That’s without CL football and also with the -£40m we had to pay Adidas to terminate the sponsorship. We really aren’t as poor as you’re trying to make out. 

Somebody said that we are poor? How can anyone forget that our owner is worth $9billion+ 😂

[Weckerz 3,781]

About time he plays it hard. Perhaps the club will realise after 5 years to buy an attacking mid of similar quality, or at least one that can string a few passes together, is not a headless chicken or too weak to be effective

[LAM09 7,050]

17 minutes ago, Weckerz said:

About time he plays it hard. Perhaps the club will realise after 5 years to buy an attacking mid of similar quality, or at least one that can string a few passes together, is not a headless chicken or too weak to be effective

Lets hope things are about to change with Emenalo out of the picture.

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

10 hours ago, Robguima said:

Well I happen to think that Hazard improving in a more attacking side is just wrong and illogical  

why? Because the personal stats, the ones that count when comparing players at the top don’t necessarily increase and often actually decrease...

While the collective attacking output of an attacking side may be higher, the individual stats are divided amongst all attacking players! 

There are only so many assists to be made or only so many goals to be scored. Will a team double the number of goals by sticking a second striker up front? Won’t a single striker score more goals individually if being the focus of the team?

anyway, the (attacking) point is at the very least, debatable.

Yeah you gave me a: he’s a nice guy and loves Chelsea and his life and won’t force a move. Which for me is precisely the reason he will never really compete with the other top players. And I have to confess I don’t particularly buy it: when a top side really wants a player they ultimately get him. 

yes he could force a move like Coutinho is doing right now even when He plays well. It sucks but players do that all the time.

fair enough on the NT but I will refrain my judgement after Russia. 

While i understand the logic you're using i don't think it applies to Hazard because of how efficient he is with the ball.

It's true that a club can only divide a certain number of goals and assists to all the attacking players but we're not talking about a player who takes 150 shots a season, scores 30 + goals a season and "wastes" the ball a lot.

Last season he scored 16 goals but he only took 77 shots. Hazard rarely "wastes" possession. Even when taking on players he has an extremely high success rate. Last season he had a 78% success rate. This season halfway through the season he has an 80 % success rate. 

 So his take on the overall collective pool is small. I just don't see in what part of Hazard's game he'd have to cut back on if he moved to a more attacking side.

Also you're forgetting that a more attacking team will score more goals, so more goals and assists to spread  to the attacking players.

 

"when a top side really wants a player they ultimately get him."  Disagree. If a player really doesn't want to move then there isn't anything a club can do.

Seems like Hazard only wants to go to Real or stay here. He didn't want to go to PSG so he didn't go. 

 

It's not in his personality to forcibly push for a move. He wants to enjoy his football. He doesn't want any kind of drama off the pitch.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/12/29/chelsea-resume-eden-hazard-contract-talks-target-ross-barkley/

Chelsea will resume contract talks with Eden Hazard in the New Year and are aiming to make it second time lucky by signing Ross Barkley from Everton in January.

Hazard’s father Thierry cast doubt over his son’s Chelsea future by claiming his son had rejected a contract offer while he waits to see if Real Madrid bid for him. But Chelsea are yet to make Hazard a firm contract offer, despite holding talks over a new deal for their star player, whose current deal runs to 2020.

Negotiations will reopen in 2018, when Chelsea will make Hazard an offer in excess of £300,000-a-week in the hope he recommits himself to the club past 2020.

“If you are in a great club and you trust in the club and the ambition of the club, I think it's right to stay,” said head coach Antonio Conte, whose team entertain Stoke City on Saturday.