Eden Hazard

[Kojo 4,676]

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.

Against Leeds our midfield seemed to have a great passing game going on, great touches, quck passes, quick runs, it's the hardest thing in the world to defend against. This is against Leeds however, we need to step up our game.

Us not keeping the ball however costs us huge, because we can't seem to win it back either.

[Blu4Lyf 46]

He still hasn't showed the same ferocity earlier in the season when he was our #10. Oscar being incorporated in the 3 and not the double pivot, I believe, has hindered Eden's progress.

[Corner 456]

Against Leeds our midfield seemed to have a great passing game going on, great touches, quck passes, quick runs, it's the hardest thing in the world to defend against. This is against Leeds however, we need to step up our game.

Us not keeping the ball however costs us huge, because we can't seem to win it back either.

True, but we did have Oscar, Mata, Hazard and Lampard all on the pitch at the same time.

EDIT: And David Luiz, of course.

[Kojo 4,676]

True, but we did have Oscar, Mata, Hazard and Lampard all on the pitch at the same time.

EDIT: And David Luiz, of course.

And what fucking difference does that make?, we still get battered when we have a team out like that either way. That's my point, we need to start performing like that against better sides.

[Corner 456]

And what fucking difference does that make?, we still get battered when we have a team out like that either way. That's my point, we need to start performing like that against better sides.

Calm down mate. Incessant pessimism isn't going to get us anywhere. There are so many issues with our team right now that are affecting many things. I actually think we're doing pretty well considering everything that has happened this season. If it's not easy for the fans, can you imagine how difficult is must be for some of the players?

[Kojo 4,676]

Calm down mate. Incessant pessimism isn't going to get us anywhere. There are so many issues with our team right now that are affecting many things. I actually think we're doing pretty well considering everything that has happened this season. If it's not easy for the fans, can you imagine how difficult is must be for some of the players?

Doing well?, we didn't win one game last month, only just managed to win one premier league game this month, out of club world cup, 4-1 thrashing from Attletico Madrid so no super cup, yeah i would say we are doing brilliantly.

[Peppi85 110]

Premiere league counts pens won as assists for some reason, that's why he has two more on there.

This is where I check my stats...

http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/eden-hazard/profil/spieler_50202.html

edit; they seem to count the penalties aswell...

5 goals, 16 assist in 2555 minutes.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

This is where I check my stats...

http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/eden-hazard/profil/spieler_50202.html

edit; they seem to count the penalties aswell...

5 goals, 16 assist in 2555 minutes.

I got mine from www.whoscored.com

[Jase 43,479]

From what I've checked, Hazard has scored 5 goals and has 11 assists in all competitions so far this season.

GOALS(5):

PL - vs Newcastle(H)

PL - vs Norwich(H)

PL - vs West Brom(A)

LC - vs Man United(H)

LC - vs Leeds(A)

ASSISTS(11):

PL - Ivanovic's goal vs Wigan(A)

PL - Cahill's goal vs Reading(H)

PL - Ivanovic's goal vs Reading(H)

PL - Torres's goal vs Newcastle(H)

PL - Mata's 2nd goal vs Tottenham(A)

PL - Torres's 1st goal vs Sunderland(A)

LC - Ramires's goal vs Man United(H)

LC - Torres's goal vs Leeds(A)

CWC - Torres's goal vs Monterrey(N)

CL - Oscar's 1st goal vs Juventus(H)

CL - Torres's goal vs Nordsjaelland(H)

Winning penalties do not officially count as an assist. It only counts as one in Fantasy Football Manager. And Opta defined an assist as this:

Goal Assist

The final pass or pass-cum-shot leading to the recipient of the ball scoring a goal.

Source: http://www.optasportspro.com/es/acerca-de/blog-optapro/posts/2012/optapro%27s-event-definitions.aspx

That is why for example, Hazard's corner that led to Cahill scoring the goal against Spurs didn't count as an assist for him because it did not directly led to the goal. Hazard's corner was half cleared by Gallas and it then presented the chance for Cahill to score.

And wasn't @ keeping a track of this record awhile ago?!

Edited December 21, 2012 by BluesMaster

[Spike 12,049]

And wasn't @ keeping a track of this record awhile ago?!

Some personal stuff happened and I missed a few games. Besides your layout is better.

[Jase 43,479]

Added a few more information into that posts regarding Hazard's goals and assists count.

Some personal stuff happened and I missed a few games. Besides your layout is better.

Why? Getting drunk too often already?

[Spike 12,049]

Why? Getting drunk too often already?

It's probably something like that. I can't remember.

[Peppen 934]

Aiden Azzaaar, you excessively handsome piece of Belgian chocolate!!!

[Jase 43,479]

Here we go with this again...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4710904/Christian-Benteke-Eden-Hazard-wants-to-join-Real-Madrid.html

Aston Villa strike sensation Benteke spoke openly about the Chelsea star’s ambition — and his claims will add spice to today’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

Benteke confessed Hazard’s secret in a recent interview in Belgium where he spoke about his relationship with Chelsea’s £32million summer signing that dates back years.

The two met while playing for Belgium at youth level — Hazard the provider, Benteke the target man — and have been close ever since.

Benteke said: “I am not surprised at Eden’s success with Chelsea — and he can do even better. He has the qualities needed to become an even greater player. His dream is to join Real Madrid — so I don’t see why he can’t join them in a year or two.”

[Spike 12,049]

Fuck off Benteke. Seriously, fuck off cunt; keep your damn mouth shut.