Eden Hazard

[Kojo 4,676]

He lacks the creativity to play behind a striker for me, why push Mata out on the wing when he lacks pace?.

Looks like we have a big problem on our hands.

[Waterfall 893]

20 goals and 16 assists in 35 matches and you think he lacks creativity? That's supposed to be one of his strengths.

[warnie_666 1,081]

Eden Hazard must start in the middle. And that is because he will be the most marked player on the field because of his pace and ability to beat the defenders. This will create space for others around him.

If he plays on the wings it is easy to negate his threat as he can be pinned on the wings by the opposition RB and RW.

Messi flourished when he was made to play through the middle. It was difficult to mark him and sme goes for Hazard.

Mata may not have pace but he has the brains. He will be the other no.10 in absence of Hazard. Infact Hazard and Mata can swap places during the game. Mata has a good cross on him and has good dribbling skills inspite of not being fast.

[Blue Armour 4,438]

He lacks the creativity to play behind a striker for me, why push Mata out on the wing when he lacks pace?.

Looks like we have a big problem on our hands.

He hasn't impressed me this pre-season either, but I still remember how well he passed in that international friendly vs. England. I think he can improve with time and better understanding.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

I dont think we have any doubts that Hazard(LAM) and Mata(CAM) are gonna be starting and that lampard will be playing in the deeper role alongside Mikel but the only big t desicion RDM is gonna make is either having Ramires on the right or moving Mata out to the wing and having Oscar in the middle.....

This is exactly it. The formation is pretty much set save new signings except for what you mention and perhaps Luiz vs. Cahill at CB. My feeling is that Ramires will start and they'll try to bring Oscar into the starting XI as he gets acclimatized to the league.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Yeah I didn't want to push Mata on the wings, but I think we should now. Hazard through the middle, Mata on one of the wings and on the other we have to play Marin really. Shouldn't play 3 attacking mids, you need an out ball and Marin/Moses can be that guy; Just to reset the attack while maintaining possession in the final third.

The only problem with Hazard through the middle is that he might be forced to drop deep to collect the ball because our double pivot is really lacking imo, I'm fine with Mata or Oscar doing that because they both have a great passing range plus Hazard's greatest strength, dribbling, won't really be of any use if he drops deep.

We'll have a lot of troubles in the first month but our attackers are good enough and intelligent enough to figure it out, but we'll have to be patient.

[killer1257 3,282]

I think,that Mata should play in the middle,because he is too slow for the wings.He has the brain and his dribbling skills are good,but that´s not enough,I think.Hazard is very quick and his dribbling skills are better than Mata´s ,so I think that Hazard has to play on the wings like he did in Lille.Mata is a very creative Player and he and Hazard will change their positions during the game,so Hazard is sometimes in the middle and sometimes Mata is in the middle,so that´s not a problem.Let´s see,how Mata and Hazard play together.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

People are debating about the fixed position of Mata, Hazard and Oscar but are missing a key asset to playing the three playing together. Versatility. Mata can switch to the left from the no.10 with Hazard and Oscar being players who can adeptly operate in all three positions. We're not going to have the frustrating problem of seeing Mata waste himself on the wing if a player is managing him when he can just switch with one of our boys. Point is our games will be an absolute nightmare for opponents with the three constantly rotating.

Our style also looks to set to be similar to City's who never really had a direct winger (Johnson aside, who was wasted) that could run at you last year and had a typically Italian manager who remained fundamentally coy in letting his players loose. Having said that we have Hazard, who would of probably be operating that exact role at City if he signed for them and also Sturridge who can provide that directness on the wing when he's not playing in his coveted striker role. Piazon will be pushing for chances as the second striker or winger too.

The problem we face is one to be envied. If we can get our squad to gel and reach equilibrium then next season could be great. Not expecting it instantly but our future is looking good in the long term for sure.

[zolayes 14,489]

People are debating about the fixed position of Mata, Hazard and Oscar but are missing a key asset to playing the three playing together. Versatility. Mata can switch to the left from the no.10 with Hazard and Oscar being players who can adeptly operate in all three options. We're not going to have the frustrating problem of seeing Mata waste himself on the wing if a player is managing him when he can just switch with one of our boys. Point is our games will be an absolute nightmare for opponents with the three constantly rotating.

Our style also looks to set to be similar to City's who never really had a direct winger (Johnson aside, who was wasted) that could run at you last year and had a typically Italian manager who remained fundamentally coy in letting his players loose. Having said that we have Hazard, who would of probably be operating that exact role at City if he signed for them and also Sturridge who can provide that directness on the wing when he's not playing in his coveted striker role. Piazon will be pushing for chances as the second striker too or winger too.

The problem we face is one to be envied. If we can get our squad to gel and reach equilibrium then next season could be great. Not expecting it instantly but our future is looking good in the long term for sure.

excellent with skilled INTELLIGENT players they dont need fixed positions. The best post on this subject in the last two weeks

[Land 331]

Hazard cant play as AM,he does not have the passing skills and the right composure to play there.Mata and Oscar deserve that place.

Mata,Oscar,Hazard fighting for one spot?he has to and should play as a winger,period.

-Hazard-Mata-Oscar or Hazrd-Oscar-Mata

[laeth 527]

Hazard cant play as AM,he does not have the passing skills and the right composure to play there.Mata and Oscar deserve that place.

Mata,Oscar,Hazard fighting for one spot?he has to and should play as a winger,period.

-Hazard-Mata-Oscar or Hazrd-Oscar-Mata

Sorry, but that is a load of tosh. Throughout pre-season Hazard was by FAR the best passer of the ball. He see's passes other players don't.

[Land 331]

Yeah,and you know what happened?we played like crap.Theres a difference between knowing how to pass and knowing how to pass as a CAM.Hazard cant set the tempo,He is constantly on attack and that makes things much harder.He does not know when to keep it simple.He doesnt know the right time to dribble,to pass back or to make the run forward.

So,let me get this straight,Hazard,who always played as a winger or as a striker for Lille,want to play as a 10 obligating mata and oscar who are legit midfielders to play as wingers.

[laeth 527]

Yeah,and you know what happened?we played like crap.Theres a difference between knowing how to pass and knowing how to pass as a CAM.Hazard cant set the tempo,He is constantly on attack and that makes things much harder.He does not know when to keep it simple.He doesnt know the right time to dribble,to pass back or to make the run forward.

So,let me get this straight,Hazard,who always played as a winger or as a striker for Lille,want to play as a 10 obligating mata and oscar who are legit midfielders to play as wingers.

We played exactly like we did when Mata played there. It's nothing to do with Hazard, it's more to do with our movement off the ball. No one creates any space.

[Land 331]

Once Mata or Oscar play there,the difference will be immense.Wait and see once the epl starts

[Peace. 4,352]

Hazard isn't a playmaker. His best attributes are not building the game and make the game ticking. Yes, undeniably he has a good eye for the pass. But, he is more the kind of player who try to beat his opponent. In my honest opinion, he (still ?) hasn't what it takes to be our n°10. I see Mata and Oscar being significantly better in this domain.

The bottom line is that he should play where it's the best for the team. Oscar and Mata are more suited to be our playmaker than him. Therefore, even if the wing isn't his prefered position and/or where he is the best, he should play there, for the team's sack.