Eden Hazard

[The Chels 2,502]

1 hour ago, Jason said:

Real Madrid won't be making any Galactico signing this summer apparently...

Madrid fans in the comments calling for Florentino's resignation over this LOL. 4 CLs in 5 years... That spoilt fanbase's sense of entitlement is SO annoying. 

[LAM09 6,783]

Was their last "galactico" signing bale? It's ironic this hugely successful period has been during a time when they haven't spent big and actually been very wise and astute in their signings.

Rodriguez was their last. They have spent around 100m on Brazilians no one has ever heard, so I wouldn't call all their business shrewd.

[Stats 7,059]

1 hour ago, The Chels said:

Madrid fans in the comments calling for Florentino's resignation over this LOL. 4 CLs in 5 years... That spoilt fanbase's sense of entitlement is SO annoying. 

Yes, they have won the UCL however they are well off the pace in the league, which shows your true quality over a season.

[The Chels 2,502]

44 minutes ago, Stats said:

Yes, they have won the UCL however they are well off the pace in the league, which shows your true quality over a season.

Sure ideally they'd like to win everything, but I don't think Madrid and their fans even care that much about the league. They prefer to conserve energy for CL games. instead of arriving dead like Barca against Roma.

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

I'm actually kind of optimistic about Eden staying.

Unless we've already been hard at work on it, I can't see see us selling him in the shorter window with no time for a replacement. 

With the price tag we've put on him, we're telling him that we think he's at Neymar level, world record fee.  Madrid, I'm not sure that they will pay it.  For them, I'm sure that they would rather have Neymar for that kind of money.  With Mbappe really emerging now (we all knew of him, but casuals like Americans who only watch the world cup, have now heard of him), I think PSG will make him the face of the franchise.  Maybe not today (with Neymar there), but it's inevitable unless he becomes a flop (not likely).  

I could see Madrid going for Neymar, if not this window, then next summer.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

In that interview it is clearly said that his preferred destination is Real Madrid (or PSG as a plot twist). So with that has set in his mind, I would imagine he won't sign the extension no matter how hard we convince him as it might be (much) lower than those two clubs will offer anyway. He made it clear that he (and his father) has preferred them over us. With that double factor, think we should let him go. If not this summer, next summer. Life must go on. Spend the money to buy 3-4 top players.

[Dimitr 488]

3 hours ago, RoyalBlues said:

In that interview it is clearly said that his preferred destination is Real Madrid (or PSG as a plot twist). So with that has set in his mind, I would imagine he won't sign the extension no matter how hard we convince him as it might be (much) lower than those two clubs will offer anyway. He made it clear that he (and his father) has preferred them over us. With that double factor, think we should let him go. If not this summer, next summer. Life must go on. Spend the money to buy 3-4 top players.

I can’t believe that we will sell him  now 

we can’t sign his replacement. I believe that this is a game to  get a better contract from us . 

If finally we sell him I would get Isco or asensio and a huge amount of course .

[Superblue 6,372]

6 hours ago, Stats said:

Yes, they have won the UCL however they are well off the pace in the league, which shows your true quality over a season.

Whilst i agree with this, their priority and measure of success has always been europe which gives them the highest exposure.

They did also win the league and champs league double recently too.

[Unionjack 7,531]

I was wondering last night what I would rather do if I was a world class footballer.

Would I want to be in a team full of similar and was odds on that the team would continually win. But just be another member of the team.

Or be in a team who I already knew and I could make a large contribution to their football and could become a legend there.

I would opt for the 2nd option, But if all that matters to Eden is to have his ego stroked then its upto him.

Different types of ambition I suppose.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Well, I believe Tibo have some influence with Hazard decision, and I can't imagine him convinced Hazard to stay. So if Hazard acting like a spoiled brat now, I know where it comes from and will not be surprised at all. He is not the same kid we signed 6 years ago for sure.

[DDA 9,691]

27 minutes ago, RoyalBlues said:

Well, I believe Tibo have some influence with Hazard decision, and I can't imagine him convinced Hazard to stay. So if Hazard acting like a spoiled brat now, I know where it comes from and will not be surprised at all. He is not the same kid we signed 6 years ago for sure.

Steady on. Eden is and has been pretty damn honourable towards this club. If he wants to move on after 6 years of loyal service, then so be it. Courtois is a different kettle of fish. That guy is a parasite.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

17 minutes ago, DDA said:

Steady on. Eden is and has been pretty damn honourable towards this club. If he wants to move on after 6 years of loyal service, then so be it. Courtois is a different kettle of fish. That guy is a parasite.

Never doubt his important contribution and professionalism though. Just didn't expect that their bromance could become this annoying. You signed before I sign thing, you won't find that anywhere else.

[Superblue 6,372]

1 hour ago, Unionjack said:

I was wondering last night what I would rather do if I was a world class footballer.

Would I want to be in a team full of similar and was odds on that the team would continually win. But just be another member of the team.

Or be in a team who I already knew and I could make a large contribution to their football and could become a legend there.

I would opt for the 2nd option, But if all that matters to Eden is to have his ego stroked then its upto him.

Different types of ambition I suppose.

This isn't like a Matt Le Tissier at Southampton or Shearer at Newcastle, where they can offer nothing else than club legend status to keep hold of them.

Chelsea is still one of the biggest clubs in the world and serial trophy winners, so Hazard moving to Chelsea has been more than justified at both ends.

I don't think his personality suits a pressure cooker environment like Real Madrid, and I think he will always be more loved here than he ever would at Madrid because he'll never adequately replace Ronaldo whom he'll be no doubt compared to if he moved this summer. However maybe he feels he is comfortable, bordering on complacent here now and needs to move in order to push himself with a new challenge. 

I hope that he stays and commits himself here, but if he is that desperate to go I think we have to let him. It's absolutely pointless keeping a player that is unhappy with their contract winding down. However Hazard would need to show that properly by officially handing in a transfer request rather than constantly sending out mixed signals. That way everyone knows the situation and both parties can look to move on.

It will be extremely hard to replace Hazard. I don't see anybody that would be available who is on his level at the moment, but the club will find a way to replace him, possibly in a different way. For example find a player that may not be as skillful or creative as Hazard, but will score goals. We've replaced the likes of Lampard, Terry and Drogba which at times looked like being an impossible task.

[Unionjack 7,531]

10 minutes ago, Superblue_1986 said:

replaced the likes of Lampard

?

[Superblue 6,372]

4 minutes ago, Unionjack said:

?

Fabregas replaced Lampard. Not directly, we were never going to replace his goalscoring prowess but we went down a different route by bringing in someone more creative to play in that midfield role and then trusting in the players further forward to make up for the loss of Lampard's goals. We've won plenty of trophies since Lampard left.

It's the same thing with Hazard. We probably will not be able to directly replace him with but altering our style of play and getting perhaps a different type of wide player but that will suit Sarri's system may be able to adequately replace him and keep us successful without necessarily being individually as good as Hazard is.

[Unionjack 7,531]

Just now, Superblue_1986 said:

Fabregas replaced Lampard. Not directly, we were never going to replace his goalscoring prowess but we went down a different route by bringing in someone more creative to play in that midfield role and then trusting in the players further forward to make up for the loss of Lampard's goals. We've won plenty of trophies since Lampard left.

It's the same thing with Hazard. We probably will not be able to directly replace him with but altering our style of play and getting perhaps a different type of wide player but that will suit Sarri's system may be able to adequately replace him and keep us successful without necessarily being individually as good as Hazard is.

IMO Lamard was the type of player that can rarely be replaced. He was the perfect CM and we have missed him since he left badly..

Ive said it before and I'll say it again when Eden is ON FORM hes unplayable but theres been many times where he just isn't there. He mopes about,head down,hands on hips and he might as well stay at home.

Ive never understood this and it infuriates me. Whether its some character or personality thing Ive got no idea. But a player of his class with his talents should really be able to turn it on like a switch.

[Hamilton 2,120]

Funny thing we had the perfect Lampard replacement in KDB..

Eden enough mentioned he respects Chelsea’s decision, if he can’t leave (under 225m) so be it. Don’t think Eden is the kind of guy who will push for a leave..

[Superblue 6,372]

9 minutes ago, Unionjack said:

IMO Lamard was the type of player that can rarely be replaced. He was the perfect CM and we have missed him since he left badly..

Ive said it before and I'll say it again when Eden is ON FORM hes unplayable but theres been many times where he just isn't there. He mopes about,head down,hands on hips and he might as well stay at home.

Ive never understood this and it infuriates me. Whether its some character or personality thing Ive got no idea. But a player of his class with his talents should really be able to turn it on like a switch.

I'm not arguing with you, Lampard was unique and irreplaceable directly, and I feel Hazard is the same.

What I'm saying is that the club will adapt to losing players and if they can't directly replace them, they'll find a way to indirectly replace them. If that means changing the formation, style of play, etc. 

I would rather keep Hazard without question, but changing to a more offensive style would hopefully help alleviate some of the loss of Hazard by not having to rely on someone to pull off something magic when we're playing so defensively. For example having purchased Jorginho will hopefully help us retain possession and control games more. This may mean that Hazard could be replaced by someone who can similarly match his numbers with regards to goals and assists without necessarily being the type of player that can replace his direct running, chances created, etc.