Eden Hazard

[The only place to be 11,313]

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.

It's not ridiculous in the slightest, especially a few minutes before half-time when the emphasis has to be on maintaining a lead going into the break. Col got caught out of position tracking a run, but JT actually shifted along the line because in a TEAM you cover one another. Hazard knew Juanfran was his man because he looks at him at least twice. He fucked up and it cost us a goal. That doesn't mean the loss was his fault but people who are trying to excuse him don't know the first fucking thing about sport in my opinion.

There's a huge difference between the two. Again, if you read my post above your initial one you'll see that I'm not saying Hazard should not track back - just how far he tracked back is what I'm disputing.

Oh, so he should track players runs but only up to about 20 yards from goal....and then stop?? Juanfran was his man. He should've tracked the run as far as he needed to. JT even points to him and tells Eden to watch him.

But maybe JT is wrong about this.

[The Skipper 20,609]

It's not ridiculous in the slightest, especially a few minutes before half-time when the emphasis has to be on maintaining a lead going into the break. Col got caught out of position tracking a run, but JT actually shifted along the line because in a TEAM you cover one another. Hazard knew Juanfran was his man because he looks at him at least twice. He fucked up and it cost us a goal. That doesn't mean the loss was his fault but people who are trying to excuse him don't know the first fucking thing about sport in my opinion.

If you read what I said I'm not saying he did not make mistakes.

[The only place to be 11,313]

If you read what I said I'm not saying he did not make mistakes.

No, you're saying that a player like Hazard shouldn't be asked to track runs into the box from a full-back in the 44th minute of a second-leg when we're looking to go into the half-time break with a lead.

[The Skipper 20,609]

No, you're saying that a player like Hazard shouldn't be asked to track runs into the box from a full-back in the 44th minute of a second-leg when we're looking to go into the half-time break with a lead.

Yes, exactly that, because Hazard isn't a natural defender and he's bound to make a mistake that way, especially when he isn't 100% sharp. I'd much rather Cole stay a little bit wider with eyes on the left channel, and stay cautious of the overlap (it isn't something new Atletico have implemented they've been doing it all season) and one of the midfield men picking up the winger that has drifted inside.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Yes, exactly that, because Hazard isn't a natural defender and he's bound to make a mistake that way, especially when he isn't 100% sharp. I'd much rather Cole stay a little bit wider with eyes on the left channel, and stay cautious of the overlap (it isn't something new Atletico have implemented they've been doing it all season) and one of the midfield men picking up the winger that has drifted inside.

Schurrle, Salah and Willian aren't natural defenders either. They aren't being asked to stand in the six yard box and clear crosses for 90 minutes, just to track runs from full-backs like he has done many times this season.

He fucked up. That doesn't mean he's a bad player and it doesn't require people to leap to his defence for the most bizarre of reasons, but when you're assessing why we conceded then it's an obvious error. Atletico did very well to spread the play and move us around, but you simply can't make mistakes at the top level like he did and not expect to be punished.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Schurrle, Salah and Willian aren't natural defenders either. They aren't being asked to stand in the six yard box and clear crosses for 90 minutes, just to track runs from full-backs like he has done many times this season.

I'll only speak about Schurrle because he's the only one that could've replaced Hazard on Wednesday - he's far more adept at playing in the role that Hazard was asked to simply because he's played in a similar system and role for years at Leverkussen. Hazard on the other hand has played as a creator for his whole life, always in the final third of the pitch, never really had much to do defensively. He's done very well in general this season at defending and holding the correct shape but when he isn't 100% sharp it's obvious he'll make mistakes like that because that isn't what he's done regularly, it doesn't come naturally to him. That's what I'm trying to convey.

He fucked up. That doesn't mean he's a bad player and it doesn't require people to leap to his defence for the most bizarre of reasons, but when you're assessing why we conceded then it's an obvious error. Atletico did very well to spread the play and move us around, but you simply can't make mistakes at the top level like he did and not expect to be punished.

I'll say it again... He did make the mistakes, I'm not denying that at all. I'm not disputing any of the above you've said... All I'm saying is that it was bound to happen given the scenario and that a player that has spent much of career not really worrying about defending, has been out for a while, obviously not 100% sharp will make mistakes like that in the 18 yard box.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I'll only speak about Schurrle because he's the only one that could've replaced Hazard on Wednesday - he's far more adept at playing in the role that Hazard was asked to simply because he's played in a similar system and role for years at Leverkussen. Hazard on the other hand has played as a creator for his whole life, always in the final third of the pitch, never really had much to do defensively. He's done very well in general this season at defending and holding the correct shape but when he isn't 100% sharp it's obvious he'll make mistakes like that because that isn't what he's done regularly, it doesn't come naturally to him. That's what I'm trying to convey.

Under Benitez he improved dramatically when it came to defensive positioning. I think people are underestimating his ability to do a job defensively, or simply rewriting history to cover his arse.

He made a mistake. People make mistakes, especially when they're young. I don't think anyone is saying he should be sacked or flogged for it, but simply that it should be acknowledged. I guarantee the coaching staff will make it very clear to him, because that's how people learn from mistakes.

I'll say it again... He did make the mistakes, I'm not denying that at all. I'm not disputing any of the above you've said... All I'm saying is that it was bound to happen given the scenario and that a player that has spent much of career not really worrying about defending, has been out for a while, obviously not 100% sharp will make mistakes like that in the 18 yard box.

And I disagree that it was bound to happen - if it was bound to happen then he wouldn't have been trusted in that position. It was a one-off mistake, I don't think he's a brainfart machine like David Luiz.

I don't really think a lack of match-sharpness is the cause either. He knows exactly where his man here but he simply doesn't track it for some reason.

The discussion about it makes it seem like a far bigger deal that it is. It was a mistake so why people feel the need to defend it or the fact he was put in that position is bizarre to me.

[SoulTaker 46]

Schurrle, Salah and Willian aren't natural defenders either. They aren't being asked to stand in the six yard box and clear crosses for 90 minutes, just to track runs from full-backs like he has done many times this season.

He fucked up. That doesn't mean he's a bad player and it doesn't require people to leap to his defence for the most bizarre of reasons, but when you're assessing why we conceded then it's an obvious error. Atletico did very well to spread the play and move us around, but you simply can't make mistakes at the top level like he did and not expect to be punished.

What you're saying is true but it's also true that the fact Hazard was there ( in his own box ) is circumstantial and mistakes are bound to happen in case like that. Mourinho put him in this role knowing it isn't its forte. Was hazard at fault ? Yes, no doubt about that. Could he have done better ? Yes, no doubt about that either. Was he the man for this kind of situation ? No.

In the end Hazard was nothing more than a part of the gear that led to the goal.

What I think it's that Hazard is misued right now. A player like Hazard who has the potential to be a worldbeater should be trained and played in a way that would bring his skills set to their paroxysm it would be way more efficient for him and for Chelsea than to try to make him an all round player ( at least I'm under the impression that's the way it is right now ).

[Term-X 7,891]

Hazard is the face of this club, only on here do people blame a loss on the star player because he didn't defend. He's paid to score goals and create chances.

No, Mourinho is the face of the club, he's also the most marketable personality ever associated with Chelsea Football Club.

[MetsajCFC 1,255]

No, Mourinho is the face of the club, he's also the most marketable personality ever associated with Chelsea Football Club.

Spot on

[Stingray 9,441]

No, Mourinho is the face of the club, he's also the most marketable personality ever associated with Chelsea Football Club.

As much as Chelsea isn't Hazard FC, it isn't Mourinho FC either. Don't have double standards.

[Jusek 2,031]

http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/hazard-thinks-mourinho-worst-manager-he-s-known-and-is-unhappy-at

Joke of the day!

[sutro 1,026]

the french press is doing everything they can to get their "chou chou" back it seems

if they ever pull it off, i bet the day he signs a contract will be a national holiday

[Term-X 7,891]

As much as Chelsea isn't Hazard FC, it isn't Mourinho FC either. Don't have double standards.

Don't try and twist it or reinterpret the post for your own gains.

I said he was the face of the club.. 'symbol, however you wanna word that', and then a fact (which makes the Hazard argument void). Mourinho is the biggest star/celebrity/brand that's ever been associated with the club, it's not even debatable.

[Jase 43,479]

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!

Best to ignore that fella. Yes, we lost a big game and it was disappointing but he's making it out as though someone just passed away and we shouldn't make any criticism, which is not even the case!

[Jase 43,479]

[Jase 43,479]

[Stingray 9,441]

Don't try and twist it or reinterpret the post for your own gains.

I said he was the face of the club.. 'symbol, however you wanna word that', and then a fact (which makes the Hazard argument void). Mourinho is the biggest star/celebrity/brand that's ever been associated with the club, it's not even debatable.

My own gains. lol. What would i have to/want to gain by that, mister no1 legend.

Have a Manneken pis!

[Namika 922]

José is pissed at him and rigthly so.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

No, Mourinho is the face of the club, he's also the most marketable personality ever associated with Chelsea Football Club.

Considering his antics, I hope not. I seriously do.