Eden Hazard

[Superblue 6,370]

In my opinion I don't see the same desire and selfishness to his game that I see in Ronaldo and Messi. That attitude to do what it takes to be the best at what you do. On and off the pitch Hazard's character stands out as incredibly laid back and it's simply a game that he enjoys to play. There's nothing wrong with that. Like him I've got a wife and kids which over the last few years has made me much more calm over following Chelsea and that it's not everything in life (although still very important having supported for over 20 years although of course because my comment isn't agreed with, I'm automatically a 'so-called supporter'). Ronaldo certainly has always had that mentality about him, even in his early days at United. I'm just not sure if Hazard will ever have that mind-set, just my opinion.

I actually haven't slagged off Hazard for the goals, I've simply said he is partially responsible and people should accept that and not make him immune from criticism just because he's our best attacking player. I agree his defensive work and tracking back has massively improved this season and long may it continue. To be successful we need to continue defending as a team and a unit, and he's a part of that. Others are responsible for last night too (Jose included) but people trying to deflect any criticism from him altogether are treading a dangerous path by insinuating that he's above doing any defensive work, which he certainly isn't.

[Superblue 6,370]

zolayes, Jonny Wilkinson changing that idea was a massive impact on helping England go on and win the world cup.

I don't follow baseball but I'm a big NFL fan and similarly here, there is a culture shift currently happening from wrapping a quarterback in cotton wool to now putting them in the firing line by letting some of the 'new breed' run the ball and take tackles; the likes of Cam Newton, RG3, Kaepernick. And none more so than Russell Wilson considering the Seahawks are current superbowl champions and his dual threat has certainly helped massively on their offense. I've even seen a few times Russell Wilson run in front of Marshawn Lynch and block for him!

These two examples only show that unless you are one of the best at what you do in your generation or even the history of the sport, every person has a responsibility in all phases of the game they are playing for there team. That includes attackers doing what is required of them defensively (pressing, tracking back, tucking in, etc) and even keepers and defenders doing what is required of them offensively (releasing the ball quickly for a counter attack for example).

My comment wasn't actually meant to slag off Hazard as he is only partially responsible and not entirely at fault, merely to make a point that he shouldn't be immune from criticism just because he's our best player. He's been asked to do a job on that pitch and he or any of our other players are not above doing that job.

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

It is, but you know what's more sad? The way you criticize YOUR player after such a game.

L.O.L. Not too long ago you were criticizing the shit out of Oscar, and now you say others can't criticize our players? Coherent

[bababoom 4,478]

Tbh i think at the time when Eden was choosing witch English club he'd join he chose Chelsea because at the time Roman envisioned a more attacking style then what we're currently playing. I remember him speaking about his conversation with Roman, and it was certainly something along those lines. he's done his best to fit into Mourinho's system, but maybe it won't work out in the long run and he'll leave or be sold. we have to be realistic about this. the football we've been playing can't be the stuff a player like Eden is dreaming of...

Well if saint Hazard doesn't like our football than he has the right to go, it's not like he has a contract with Chelsea getting paid ridiculous amount of money every week. I feel sorry for him, it must be so hard for a player of his calibre to endure this painful experience.

Seriously though, are you fucking for real? This is not Hazard fc... honestly im starting to think some people are only here to support Hazard.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

3rd goal:

https://vine.co/v/MrmQjDZd2gI

Were was Azpilicueta the fullback supposed to be in possession? He was tucked in at the centre. It was a collective error, not an individual one.

The first one is a similar story. Hazard probably thought that ball was on it's way out, I thought that as well watching it, but the Atleti player managed to reach it and cut it across goal.

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/81FEE78FEF1073373231735611392_1ae76f088c7.4.8.4545721265261156170.mp4?versionId=Wqzmfuz73jTcb0iXiyXcEJRWb6HCA85Q

Were was Ashley Cole? Again, miserably out of position.

These were collective errors. Our fullbacks went AWOL and left Hazard exposed. Can we finally drop this now?

[Superblue 6,370]

3rd goal:

https://vine.co/v/MrmQjDZd2gI

Were was Azpilicueta the fullback supposed to be in possession? He was tucked in at the centre. It was a collective error, not an individual one.

The first one is a similar story. Hazard probably thought that ball was on it's way out, I thought that as well watching it, but the Atleti player managed to reach it and cut it across goal.

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/81FEE78FEF1073373231735611392_1ae76f088c7.4.8.4545721265261156170.mp4?versionId=Wqzmfuz73jTcb0iXiyXcEJRWb6HCA85Q

Were was Ashley Cole? Again, miserably out of position.

These were collective errors. Our fullbacks went AWOL and left Hazard exposed. Can we finally drop this now?

If you read anything I wrote I said he must accept partial responsibility and therefore some criticism for the goals. I haven't said it's fully his fault and no one else is to blame.

My whole point is that just because he's our best player doesn't make him immune from criticism which some people on here seem to think.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

If you read anything I wrote I said he must accept partial responsibility and therefore some criticism for the goals. I haven't said it's fully his fault and no one else is to blame.

My whole point is that just because he's our best player doesn't make him immune from criticism which some people on here seem to think.

Never said that so you are attacking Straw man. I will hope to see your criticisms for Cole, Eto'o and Azpilicueta for goals 1,2 and 3 respectively, or is it only reserved for Hazard?

[mediator 2,026]

We all agree on this, he is a bad Left Back, period

[MAF 162]

Well if saint Hazard doesn't like our football than he has the right to go, it's not like he has a contract with Chelsea getting paid ridiculous amount of money every week. I feel sorry for him, it must be so hard for a player of his calibre to endure this painful experience.

Seriously though, are you fucking for real? This is not Hazard fc... honestly im starting to think some people are only here to support Hazard.

I'm just stating what should be obvious. Shortly after he joined he criticized the way Chelsea won the CL, but offcourse noone thought anything of it because at that time we were playing attractive football and Hazard played a big part in it. now he's said something similar to that and all of a sudden everyone's offended.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Some people are not getting it... No one is saying that Hazard shouldn't track back and no one is saying that he wasn't at fault for the goals (it wasn't just him though there were a lot of players at fault for both goals, just bad goals to concede as a team in general), but asking your winger to track the run all the way into their own box is ridiculous.

Atletico's wingers were passed off inside, so naturally, a midfielder should've picked them up whilst our fullbacks should've been wary of the threats their fullbacks could make on the overlap. Our wingers should track them but only to a certain extent, not 10 yards into your own box. You pass the player off at a certain point because defenders are obviously more skilled and talented at defending in the box. Someone who isn't a natural defender is bound to do something like that (even though Eden has been very good in tracking back this season in general), especially against a team who exploits that well.

Also, those slating his offensive performance on Wednesday need to get real - whenever Eden had the ball he was surrounded by 3 men. We defend well as a team but when we go forward we offered no support to anyone (especially after their goal when Mourinho brought on Eto'o & Ba, we just seemed to skip our attacking mids and boot it straight up to our average strikers), and it was quite bad how even though they were clearly triple marking Hazard that we still couldn't utilise our free men properly. If only we could support as much as we do at the back going forward... I sincerely hope that when we do get the right players that this will be the approach next season. Attacking + defending with numbers. Instead of purely relying on Hazard's creativity going forward.

[iseah100 5,612]

Some people are not getting it... No one is saying that Hazard shouldn't track back and no one is saying that he wasn't at fault for the goals (it wasn't just him though there were a lot of players at fault for both goals, just bad goals to concede as a team in general), but asking your winger to track the run all the way into their own box is ridiculous.

Atletico's wingers were passed off inside, so naturally, a midfielder should've picked them up whilst our fullbacks should've been wary of the threats their fullbacks could make on the overlap. Our wingers should track them but only to a certain extent, not 10 yards into your own box. You pass the player off at a certain point because defenders are obviously more skilled and talented at defending in the box. Someone who isn't a natural defender is bound to do something like that (even though Eden has been very good in tracking back this season in general), especially against a team who exploits that well.

Also, those slating his offensive performance on Wednesday need to get real - whenever Eden had the ball he was surrounded by 3 men. We defend well as a team but when we go forward we offered no support to anyone (especially after their goal when Mourinho brought on Eto'o & Ba, we just seemed to skip our attacking mids and boot it straight up to our average strikers), and it was quite bad how even though they were clearly triple marking Hazard that we still couldn't utilise our free men properly. If only we could support as much as we do at the back going forward... I sincerely hope that when we do get the right players that this will be the approach next season. Attacking + defending with numbers. Instead of purely relying on Hazard's creativity going forward.

Bingo. You could understand Hazard's frustration as well, he has to help the fullbacks but he gets no help from them on the other end. He shouldn't have to defend in the box. People need to blame someone though.

[haranr 485]

L.O.L. Not too long ago you were criticizing the shit out of Oscar, and now you say others can't criticize our players? Coherent

After a mathc like this you shouldn't blame anyone.

[haranr 485]

Pointing out a player's mistakes/faults/weaknesses doesn't make you any less of a fan. Surely you should know that given how you've been criticising Oscar recently!

My point is only about after such a hard defeat where you must support and not critizse cuz it's just bad for the club

[Muzchap 8,966]

Tbh i think at the time when Eden was choosing witch English club he'd join he chose Chelsea because at the time Roman envisioned a more attacking style then what we're currently playing. I remember him speaking about his conversation with Roman, and it was certainly something along those lines. he's done his best to fit into Mourinho's system, but maybe it won't work out in the long run and he'll leave or be sold. we have to be realistic about this. the football we've been playing can't be the stuff a player like Eden is dreaming of...

If he wants to be a winner he will stay... Not a difficult choice.

Mourinho had Ronaldo in his side, who is miles better than Hazard - HE didn't have a problem and REAL scored for fun!

Again patience is needed everywhere - Mourinho has to train these players...

[bluesman2610 1,341]

Sorry, Eden has been great for us this year but on those two goals he fell asleep.. The player who crossed the ball back into the box was his man to mark.. And if you don't believe that look at JT reaction after the third goal went in... Eden is still a brilliant player I don't think anyone is disputing that but modern football has changed you have to be more of a two way player look at how Dortmund or even Atlético AMs played they got back right into their own box to try and harass our players... Why is their commitment any different then what Hazard should be doing

Still not blaming him for the goals because even if he loses his man we should have more than enough experience to deal with second ball.. And his cover in the centre let him down.. Goals 1&3 could have been avoided with a little more concentration from everyone that was involved Hazard JT GC Azpi and Cole

[The Skipper 20,593]

If he wants to be a winner he will stay... Not a difficult choice.

Mourinho had Ronaldo in his side, who is miles better than Hazard - HE didn't have a problem and REAL scored for fun!

Again patience is needed everywhere - Mourinho has to train these players...

To be fair, Ronaldo wasn't asked to cover overlapping fullbacks at Real.

Ronaldo barely tracked back actually. He was often Madrid's most forward/open player in their defensive phase. Something I hope Mourinho similarly does with Hazard next year when the team is more complete.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Sorry, Eden has been great for us this year but on those two goals he fell asleep.. The player who crossed the ball back into the box was his man to mark.. And if you don't believe that look at JT reaction after the third goal went in... Eden is still a brilliant player I don't think anyone is disputing that but modern football has changed you have to be more of a two way player look at how Dortmund or even Atlético AMs played they got back right into their own box to try and harass our players... Why is their commitment any different then what Hazard should be doing

No. Their attacking mids were not defending in their own box, why would they when our players barely breached it from open play, and when our fullbacks were barely overlapping to begin with? Modern football does not say, "get your most creative player to come and defend the overlap 10 yards into his box".

Hazard made mistakes yes, no one is denying that but what you're saying is false on modern football simply because Dortmund nor Atletico do that. Certainly not with their most talented forward player.

[Superblue 6,370]

Some people are not getting it... No one is saying that Hazard shouldn't track back and no one is saying at fault for the goals (it wasn't just him though there were a lot of players at fault for both goals, just bad goals to concede as a team in general), but asking your winger to track the run all the way into their own box is ridiculous.

Atletico's wingers were passed off inside, so naturally, a midfielder should've picked them up whilst our fullbacks should've been wary of the threats their fullbacks could make on the overlap. Our wingers should track them but only to a certain extent, not 10 yards into your own box. You pass the player off at a certain point because defenders are obviously more skilled and talented at defending in the box. Someone who isn't a natural defender is bound to do something like that (even though Eden has been very good in tracking back this season in general), especially against a team who exploits that well.

Also, those slating his offensive performance on Wednesday need to get real - whenever Eden had the ball he was surrounded by 3 men. We defend well as a team but when we go forward we offered no support to anyone (especially after their goal when Mourinho brought on Eto'o & Ba, we just seemed to skip our attacking mids and boot it straight up to our average strikers), and it was quite bad how even though they were clearly triple marking Hazard that we still couldn't utilise our free men properly. If only we could support as much as we do at the back going forward... I sincerely hope that when we do get the right players that this will be the approach next season. Attacking + defending with numbers. Instead of purely relying on Hazard's creativity going forward.

I agree that he shouldn't have to track all the way back but based on the away games at Atletico and Liverpool, I think that would have been his role, especially after taking the lead. Whilst the full backs tucked in effectively to give 4 centre backs and no space in the middle, forcing the opposition out wide where our wingers drop back to become the full backs. It's not great and not his strength but it's the semi final of the champions league for fucks sake. So if that was his role, I'm just saying he should have executed that as Jose has requested and he's not above doing that for the team, like some people seem to be insinuating with their comments on here. The way some people have been talking on here hazard is being put on a pedestal bigger than the club which is so wrong.