Eden Hazard

[TrippingStep 336]

Maybe it's just because its preseason, but I hate how he doesn't immediately sprint at defenders and attack. It's like he uses his incredible dribbling and technical ability only in a reactive way. He'll wait until he's closed down or in danger of getting tackled before he explodes and flies past defenders.

Most of the time he gets the ball in a 1 on 1 situation he's at walking pace and passes it away. You watched the master CR7 yesterday get the ball and instantly burst at his defender and blaze past him with skill. Hazard needs to be doing that more often. God knows he has the talent.

He's not CR7 or Gareth Bale. CR7 is a bigger athlete, can head into the box easily with his height, not easy to lean on his shoulder.

He should improve his finishing, trying more finesse, chip and not be afraid that sometimes it won't work and look ridiculous.

He should perhaps do it more but what you say has not only weak points. Beside we have Schurrle, Moses who can do that.

Doing that, Ramires, Schurrle, Moses or Cole can run into spaces that defenders closing leave. Like Debruyne cross to Ivanovic against Inter.

[Christacinto 137]

Eden's performance against Real

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTdGIX2wCo0

He didn't seem as sluggish as he was against AC/Inter and he played much better than I expected according to what I heard around here

They were horribly physical on him, all game. Tugging his shirt blatantly at times, to me it was a disgrace, I tell you.

Bloody REAL vermin has got to learn to play by the rules, both on ànd off the pitch.

[The only place to be 11,313]

He looks a lot sharper in those highlights than he has done and a tad more svelte. His close control is truly exceptional and his vision is astounding at points, it's just the execution is off by a couple of centimetres which you'd expect in pre-season.

Madrid clearly looked to stop him before he got going and he should've had a penalty, but it was encouraging to see him step up his performance. Seems to be on track for a storming start against Hull.

[haranr 485]

Eden was good when he got that ball against Real just shows he can be good againt any team but he nealy tocuhed it. I wouldn't be suprised if the result was different if Eden was more into the game.

[haranr 485]

Where can i see the full michael essien interview?

[olivertwist 23]

Surely I can't be the only one that finds his tendency to lose possession quite frequently through combination of poor decision making (like trying silly flicks, over-dribbling. . .) and inconsistent passing very frustrating. He has to significantly improves those aspect of his game plus productivity to become a world class player. for those that believe he's close to that level couldn't be more wrong, he still has a long long way to go and like mou said, there's a difference between a top talent and a top player.

[yuvala 2,167]

Surely I can't be the only one that finds his tendency to lose possession quite frequently through combination of poor decision making (like trying silly flicks, over-dribbling. . .) and inconsistent passing very frustrating. He has to significantly improves those aspect of his game plus productivity to become a world class player. for those that believe he's close to that level couldn't be more wrong, he still has a long long way to go and like mou said, there's a difference between a top talent and a top player.

Honestly Hazard usually never loses the ball..

He just doesn't really give a fuck in pre-season, so it seems.. like you said, trying those flicks and skills etc.

He's actually very strong and has incredible balance, he almost never loses the ball.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Surely I can't be the only one that finds his tendency to lose possession quite frequently through combination of poor decision making (like trying silly flicks, over-dribbling. . .) and inconsistent passing very frustrating. He has to significantly improves those aspect of his game plus productivity to become a world class player. for those that believe he's close to that level couldn't be more wrong, he still has a long long way to go and like mou said, there's a difference between a top talent and a top player.

Are you making these claims based on a few preseason games?

[Hkibou 622]

Surely I can't be the only one that finds his tendency to lose possession quite frequently through combination of poor decision making (like trying silly flicks, over-dribbling. . .) and inconsistent passing very frustrating. He has to significantly improves those aspect of his game plus productivity to become a world class player. for those that believe he's close to that level couldn't be more wrong, he still has a long long way to go and like mou said, there's a difference between a top talent and a top player.

With all due respect i do not understand your point of view, which leads me to believe you don't know much about football.

First : "Hazard tendency to lose possession" Dafuq did i just hear ???

Hazard is extraordinary in that matter, his close-control, balance and vision allows him to hold the ball like the best in the world in that domain.

Empirical proofs of that are multiple. His statistics in keeping the ball, and number of loss per game are indisputably on his side.

Another statiscal proof of his skills in the matter : he's been twice in a row most fouled player of Ligue 1 (and Europe the second year), most fouled player at Chelsea for his first season. So unless you consider getting fooled is losing possession, i don't see what you complain about. Not only he's terrific at holding possession, he frequently creates space for other and manages to create movement in dangerous areas...

Besides, that "tendency" that you call, is just collateral damage. I don't know what world you live in, but football is difficult, no matter how gifted you are, there's defenders just as good in front of you willing to put you down no matter what. When you're as offensive minded as Eden Hazard, typically wingers and AM, you're bound to lose the ball. Because what they do, if they succeed it, creates danger, space. Their presence is constant, their threat weighing out opposite defence every minute of the match... Watch of Barcelona game for once in a while, you'll be astounded to see how many times Messi loses the ball during the game, while he's the best in the world for that exercise. Hazard is easily in the close four behind the incredible Argentinian.

2nd : "Inconsistent passing" ???

No need for a long speech, stats will suffice : 88% passing accuracy overall his career, 90% as a n°10 his last season at Lille (source : LFP) ; 85% pass success for his first year in Premier League with NEW partners !

According to whoscored, 45 passes/game in Premier League, 12 assists, 65 key passes, 75% accuracy for long-range passes

For a winger, or any other advanced midfielders, you'll find few with better stats.

Edited August 9, 2013 by Hkibou

[Wiillowhobo 28]

Maybe it's just because its preseason, but I hate how he doesn't immediately sprint at defenders and attack. It's like he uses his incredible dribbling and technical ability only in a reactive way. He'll wait until he's closed down or in danger of getting tackled before he explodes and flies past defenders.

Most of the time he gets the ball in a 1 on 1 situation he's at walking pace and passes it away. You watched the master CR7 yesterday get the ball and instantly burst at his defender and blaze past him with skill. Hazard needs to be doing that more often. God knows he has the talent.

I get what you're saying. I sometimes have that impression too, especially in the beginning of last season. But don't forget that Ronaldo tracks back less often and Eden has to do his defensive work as well which gives him less energy to constantly go full throttle.

[haranr 485]

With all due respect i do not understand your point of view, which leads me to believe you don't know much about football.

First : "Hazard tendency to lose possession" Dafuq did i just hear ???

Hazard is extraordinary in that matter, his close-control, balance and vision allows him to hold the ball like the best in the world in that domain.

Empirical proofs of that are multiple. His statistics in keeping the ball, and number of loss per game are indisputably on his side.

Another statiscal proof of his skills in the matter : he's been twice in a row most fouled player of Ligue 1 (and Europe the second year), most fouled player at Chelsea for his first season. So unless you consider getting fooled is losing possession, i don't see what you complain about. Not only he's terrific at holding possession, he frequently creates space for other and manages to create movement in dangerous areas...

Besides, that "tendency" that you call, is just collateral damage. I don't know what world you live in, but football is difficult, no matter how gifted you are, there's defenders just as good in front of you willing to put you down no matter what. When you're as offensive minded as Eden Hazard, typically wingers and AM, you're bound to lose the ball. Because what they do, if they succeed it, creates danger, space. Their presence is constant, their threat weighing out opposite defence every minute of the match... Watch of Barcelona game for once in a while, you'll be astounded to see how many times Messi loses the ball during the game, while he's the best in the world for that exercise. Hazard is easily in the close four behind the incredible Argentinian.

2nd : "Inconsistent passing" ???

No need for a long speech, stats will suffice : 88% passing accuracy overall his career, 90% as a n°10 his last season at Lille (source : LFP) ; 85% pass success for his first year in Premier League with NEW partners !

According to whoscored, 45 passes/game in Premier League, 12 assists, 65 key passes, 75% accuracy for long-range passes

For a winger, or any other advanced midfielders, you'll find few with better stats.

Nice. Good read

Edited August 9, 2013 by haranr

[Christacinto 137]

Surely I can't be the only one that finds his tendency to lose possession quite frequently through combination of poor decision making (like trying silly flicks, over-dribbling. . .) and inconsistent passing very frustrating. He has to significantly improves those aspect of his game plus productivity to become a world class player. for those that believe he's close to that level couldn't be more wrong, he still has a long long way to go and like mou said, there's a difference between a top talent and a top player.

Reading posts like this I wish I could hit a "Boo"-button somewhere...

Edited August 9, 2013 by Christacinto

[Christacinto 137]

With all due respect i do not understand your point of view, which leads me to believe you don't know much about football.

First : "Hazard tendency to lose possession" Dafuq did i just hear ???

Hazard is extraordinary in that matter, his close-control, balance and vision allows him to hold the ball like the best in the world in that domain.

Empirical proofs of that are multiple. His statistics in keeping the ball, and number of loss per game are indisputably on his side.

Another statiscal proof of his skills in the matter : he's been twice in a row most fouled player of Ligue 1 (and Europe the second year), most fouled player at Chelsea for his first season. So unless you consider getting fooled is losing possession, i don't see what you complain about. Not only he's terrific at holding possession, he frequently creates space for other and manages to create movement in dangerous areas...

Besides, that "tendency" that you call, is just collateral damage. I don't know what world you live in, but football is difficult, no matter how gifted you are, there's defenders just as good in front of you willing to put you down no matter what. When you're as offensive minded as Eden Hazard, typically wingers and AM, you're bound to lose the ball. Because what they do, if they succeed it, creates danger, space. Their presence is constant, their threat weighing out opposite defence every minute of the match... Watch of Barcelona game for once in a while, you'll be astounded to see how many times Messi loses the ball during the game, while he's the best in the world for that exercise. Hazard is easily in the close four behind the incredible Argentinian.

2nd : "Inconsistent passing" ???

No need for a long speech, stats will suffice : 88% passing accuracy overall his career, 90% as a n°10 his last season at Lille (source : LFP) ; 85% pass success for his first year in Premier League with NEW partners !

According to whoscored, 45 passes/game in Premier League, 12 assists, 65 key passes, 75% accuracy for long-range passes

For a winger, or any other advanced midfielders, you'll find few with better stats.

as I wish I could award a hundred likes for this...

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

Surely I can't be the only one that finds his tendency to lose possession quite frequently through combination of poor decision making (like trying silly flicks, over-dribbling. . .) and inconsistent passing very frustrating. He has to significantly improves those aspect of his game plus productivity to become a world class player. for those that believe he's close to that level couldn't be more wrong, he still has a long long way to go and like mou said, there's a difference between a top talent and a top player.

Negged

[TrippingStep 336]

Surely I can't be the only one that finds his tendency to lose possession quite frequently through combination of poor decision making (like trying silly flicks, over-dribbling. . .) and inconsistent passing very frustrating. He has to significantly improves those aspect of his game plus productivity to become a world class player. for those that believe he's close to that level couldn't be more wrong, he still has a long long way to go and like mou said, there's a difference between a top talent and a top player.

I understand.

Especially against the asian teams, he wasn't really serious and with the heavy legs after training, he was bad, overdribbling, trying flicks without much focus.

Against Real, with our difficulty in midfield and in the last 3-4 months of last season, when he was carrying the ball from deeper, eliminating some midfield players, it permitted us to keep the ball and letting some player run and take position in the final third of the opposition. The opponents having to back-off on some of their pressure on our last third.

Again Spurs last year, when he was substituted, we had more difficulties moving the ball in the spurs half.

What I don't like is his finishing, I don't understand why he doesn't use tricks to fool the keeper, use chip-in, it's so in contrast with the rest of his game. I think he must have take too litterally some advices he had to keep it simple or don't think and shoot powerfully (like some belgians coaches would say).