Eden Hazard

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

I don't know why.... but the more and more I watch Eden play, the more I feel like he will prosper more in the #10 role.

Why?

Look at Mertens' display in the first two games for example. He was immense in both games (imo) just cuz of his direct nature. He looks to beat his marker and deliver a cross or shoot. That's what a winger should do in my opinion. Eden does that too. But but not often enough.

On the other hand, what Hazard has that most LW's don't, is magnificent vision. The best LW in the world (Cristiano Ronaldo) has average vision. Eden almost always creates a couple good chances for his team mates whenever he's on the pitch.

Now, if he played in the role behind the striker, he would be in positions to play in on-running STs and Wingers. Like he did for Schurrle's second goal against Fulham. He skipped past two players and then calmly caressed the ball into Schurrle's path. And I think he can do that on a regular basis. Also, if he played in the role behind the striker, he'd get the ball ALOT with his back to goal. In that situation, Eden is incredibly clever in how he turns the defender on his back and sprints away from him. Can't think of a better example than his first goal against Newcastle in the 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

I think this is something Jose should consider and maybe even Belgium too. Both the Belgian NT and Chelsea have players who would love to play in Hazard's position week in week out but just cant get into the team because of Hazard. As for Chelsea, I think Hazard would give us more creativity than Oscar would in the #10 role.

Just a thought...

Well Hazard isn't really a winger or a 10 he's something between the two. I think we should keep playing him on the left wing but allow him to sometimes move away from the sideline and roam into the centre.(like we've been doing last season)

Let him be unpredictable.

I think the most important thing is getting an attacking left back to help him get rid of the double marking and to keep the width when he roams to the centre.

I actually don't think Hazard is less direct then Mertens. I think Mertens looked more direct because he was constantly able to go 1 on 1 with the Russian left back while Hazard was double marked.

When Hazard gets into a 1 on 1 situation he usually goes for it. It's just that teams rarely allow that to happen because they know how good he is at it.

Both of his decisive assists came on the counter when the opposition couldn't doublemark him as they didn't have enough players to do so.

[iseah100 5,612]

Well Hazard isn't really a winger or a 10 he's something between the two. I think we should keep playing him on the left wing but allow him to sometimes move away from the sideline and roam into the centre.(like we've been doing last season)

Let him be unpredictable.

I think the most important thing is getting an attacking left back to help him get rid of the double marking and to keep the width when he roams to the centre.

I actually don't think Hazard is less direct then Mertens. I think Mertens looked more direct because he was constantly able to go 1 on 1 with the Russian left back while Hazard was double marked.

When Hazard gets into a 1 on 1 situation he usually goes for it. It's just that teams rarely allow that to happen because they know how good he is at it.

Both of his decisive assists came on the counter when the opposition couldn't doublemark him as they didn't have enough players to do so.

This.

[Ze Mario 638]

Well Hazard isn't really a winger or a 10 he's something between the two. I think we should keep playing him on the left wing but allow him to sometimes move away from the sideline and roam into the centre.(like we've been doing last season)

Let him be unpredictable.

I think the most important thing is getting an attacking left back to help him get rid of the double marking and to keep the width when he roams to the centre.

I actually don't think Hazard is less direct then Mertens. I think Mertens looked more direct because he was constantly able to go 1 on 1 with the Russian left back while Hazard was double marked.

When Hazard gets into a 1 on 1 situation he usually goes for it. It's just that teams rarely allow that to happen because they know how good he is at it.

Both of his decisive assists came on the counter when the opposition couldn't doublemark him as they didn't have enough players to do so.

He's actually the better version of young iniesta. Hope he improve to be better than that cunt

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Well Hazard isn't really a winger or a 10 he's something between the two. I think we should keep playing him on the left wing but allow him to sometimes move away from the sideline and02roam into the centre.(like we've been doing last season)

Let him be unpredictable.

02

I think the most important thing is getting an attacking left back to help him get rid of the double marking and to keep the width when he02roams to the centre.

02

I actually don't think Hazard is less direct then Mertens. I think Mertens looked more direct because he was constantly able to go 1 on 1 with the Russian left back while Hazard was double marked.

When Hazard gets into a 1 on 1 situation he usually goes for it. It's just that teams rarely allow that to happen because they know how good he is at it.

02

Both of his decisive assists came on the counter when the opposition couldn't doublemark02him as they didn't have enough players to do so.

I've said this before in this thread. He holds unto the ball too long when double marked, and it slows down the attack.

That's why I said earlier that he should try to do quick one twos when double marked. Like anytime he see's two players around him, he should pass out and run towards the box for the return pass.

Mertens made a lot of runs and crossed into the box and hazard didn't come in from the far post, so once it goes past lukaku, no one else was in the box.

I'm begining to think hazard is more of an iniesta than bale/ronaldo/robben. If you even watch iniesta on the wings sometimes, he plays just like hazard. Both don't run into the 18box much, and both don't shoot.

Because of this, Hazard might actually be better in the center with his back to goal quick turns used to the maximum and more touches of the ball.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

average for 85 mins apart from 2 or 3 good runs and the one that led to the goal.

What most Chelsea fans are scared to admit is that was the story of his season, four or five magnificent, world-class performances aside. The most sobering thought is that in that five minute window he offers more than the rest of our attack does in 90 minutes. That's what cost us last season. He's still very raw and miles away from being the player most of us think he is, but he is nonetheless a special player with all the ability in the world. It's just his mentality that concerns me. Does he know how good he can be? I hope he gets a little more licence to play next season, now that we have a more responsible component in the midfield in Cesc (as opposed to Ramires' headless forays into No Man's Land that left us exposed time and time again last season) and with the (possible) signing of Luis, a defender who'll have the ability to cover further up the pitch than Cole or Azpilicueta.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

This page is filled with really solid posts.

Jose just need to compliment him on the wings with a proper LB, provide him more freedom and ask him to shoot more and he'll be golden.

Jose already have him the No.10 shirt. That's a start.

[Jase 43,479]

What most Chelsea fans are scared to admit is that was the story of his season, four or five magnificent, world-class performances aside. The most sobering thought is that in that five minute window he offers more than the rest of our attack does in 90 minutes. That's what cost us last season. He's still very raw and miles away from being the player most of us think he is, but he is nonetheless a special player with all the ability in the world. It's just his mentality that concerns me. Does he know how good he can be? I hope he gets a little more licence to play next season, now that we have a more responsible component in the midfield in Cesc (as opposed to Ramires' headless forays into No Man's Land that left us exposed time and time again last season) and with the (possible) signing of Luis, a defender who'll have the ability to cover further up the pitch than Cole or Azpilicueta.

And there were also some people that wanted him to win the POTY award just so he gets appreciated and won't leave us.

[Styles 9,790]

Yet another assist that has won a game for Belgium. He has played in two very tactical matches against a good Algerian team and a Russia side managed by Capello. He recieved a lot of attention in both games and barely got any space for 75-80 minutes but still MADE THE DIFFERENCE which is the mark of a truly brilliant player. But if you listen to most people they'll tell you he's been a failure who needs to 'shoot more init', gotta love it

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Nearly broke my remote when he dribbled past 3 players and then decided to pass in a shooting position. Thankfully, he still won them the game in the end.

It's like he's afraid to shoot. His lack of confidence worries me.

[Styles 9,790]

It's like he's afraid to shoot. His lack of confidence worries me.

Are you guys talking about the chance right at the end of the game when he passed the ball to AN OPEN teammate in a better position? Hazard had two players directly in front of him and any shot would almost certainly have been blocked. He had an open man available who had a significantly better chance of scoring and he made the right decision.

I will never understand this clamour for Hazard to start taking low-percentage shots. How on earth is that going to make him a better player? Please explain in simple language because I'm clearly missing something.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

It's like he's afraid to shoot. His lack of confidence worries me.

I don't think he has a lack of confidence at all! I just think he's concerned about being labelled "greedy" or "selfish", and instead tries to serve provider when he really should be grabbing all the headlines himself.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

I don't think he has a lack of confidence at all! I just think he's concerned about being labelled "greedy" or "selfish", and instead tries to serve provider when he really should be grabbing all the headlines himself.

It's possible, too. I honestly think Hazard needs to be more confident and selfish. Sometimes being a bit greedy isn't bad when you have the talent.

[Styles 9,790]

I don't think he has a lack of confidence at all! I just think he's concerned about being labelled "greedy" or "selfish", and instead tries to serve provider when he really should be grabbing all the headlines himself.

So it's not really about Hazard doing the right thing, it's about him becoming a superstar and getting press coverage? Interesting.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

So it's not really about Hazard doing the right thing, it's about him becoming a superstar and getting press coverage? Interesting.

I didn't say that. I'm saying this:

It's possible, too. I honestly think Hazard needs to be more confident and selfish. Sometimes being a bit greedy isn't bad when you have the talent.

There's an issue with his decision-making, IMO. He's always looking to be the creator, the provider - when in reality he should be scoring more goals.

[Madmax 9,219]

Hazard and 'lack of confidence' in the same sentence ... does not compute.

[Styles 9,790]

I didn't say that. I'm saying this:

There's an issue with his decision-making, IMO. He's always looking to be the creator, the provider - when in reality he should be scoring more goals.

OK. Now let me ask you this: do you consider Hazard to be an intelligent player?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

OK. Now let me ask you this: do you consider Hazard to be an intelligent player?

Absolutely. You can't be a creative player if you're not intelligent and a visionary on the pitch. But intelligence and decision-making are two very different things. He's almost an "Arsenal-ised" attacking midfielder - he tries to play one too many passes when really he could be taking a shot on himself. You don't become one of the world's best forwards by setting up goals. Ask Lionel or Cristiano.

[Madmax 9,219]

Hazard individual highlights vs Russia

http://vimeo.com/98886393