Eden Hazard

[Special Juan 27,423]

Very few talents in the world that get you off your seat and i believe this lad is one of them. Still raw in places but still amazingly exciting to watch.

Next season…..bring it.

Eden, Eden, Eden, Eden, Eden, Eden Hazard

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Styles, this is what I was trying to convey:

Could Hazard stand to be more selfish at times? Could he impose his will more? Absolutely. The problem thus far has been a lack of overlap by the center backs playing fullback as well as through runs by other attackers. This applies to both Chelsea and the Belgian NT.

If you watch closely Hazard is being marked by 2-3 men every time he marks the ball so its unrealistic to expect him to beat 2-3 men each time into 10 man wall to create his own shot or find a pass if his teammates aren't overlapping or making incisive runs to open up space.

When you look at where Hazard became dangerous it was when he was either one v. one or on an overlap.

This is where Origi has been infinitely more helpful than Lukaku and where Benteke is missed because Origi and Benteke can play in tight spaces with great creativity.

Hazard is being ragged for a poor game v. Russia yet he completed 13! dribbles.

Hazard does deserve criticism but he's not getting any slack despite being constantly double and triple teammed and not getting overlapping incisive rubs from his teammates on a consistent basis.

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR1NcoM-ej4

Eden hard at work.

[nono 791]

You can not compare to Robben because all game Belgium struggles to even get him the ball.

[Henrique 9,133]

Hazard is receiving criticism because of the unrealistic expectations. He is a very good player, but we all were expecting he to lead a very exciting and attacking team in this WC.

To be honest, I can't remember an outstanding performance from Hazard in UCL in past two seasons. He is not yet that kind of player who can decide a big game on his own. Belgium has a good team, but not as good as the hype suggests. Hazard won't make a miracle with this team, not because the team is so poor that even Hazard won't save it, but because Hazard is not good enough to turn a team like Belgium into WC contenders.

Alex was perfect here:

"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."

I'm glad he said that, and not me, otherwise people would say I was trying to be controversial. I don't think we should be surprised about his timid performances in those games, because as Alex said, that was the story of his season. He is not a player ready to be the protagonist of the team, to run a team to a winning campaign in a big tournament. Some players take years to achieve that level.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Shows glimpses of brilliance, needs to find of a level of consistency. Needs to take the game by the scruff of the neck... if he can turn the 4-5 games of brilliance into 10-12 he will be mentioned in the same breath as the Messi's and Ronaldo's.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Hazard is receiving criticism because of the unrealistic expectations. He is a very good player, but we all were expecting he to lead a very exciting and attacking team in this WC.

To be honest, I can't remember an outstanding performance from Hazard in UCL in past two seasons. He is not yet that kind of player who can decide a big game on his own. Belgium has a good team, but not as good as the hype suggests. Hazard won't make a miracle with this team, not because the team is so poor that even Hazard won't save it, but because Hazard is not good enough to turn a team like Belgium into WC contenders.

Alex was perfect here:

"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."

I'm glad he said that, and not me, otherwise people would say I was trying to be controversial. I don't think we should be surprised about his timid performances in those games, because as Alex said, that was the story of his season. He is not a player ready to be the protagonist of the team, to run a team to a winning campaign in a big tournament. Some players take years to achieve that level.

Totally agreed Henrique. And before anyone jumps on what we're saying, neither of us are denying the fact that he is a very special player indeed. He just isn't (obviously) Ronaldo, Bale or Messi level just yet. We need to be patient with Eden, because he is continuing to grow as a person and as a player, and if nurtured correctly, he could become one of the greats of his generation. But right now, Hazard is only really turning it on once every three or four games; in most games he is not the special or world-class player some people on here make him out to be. But he is still very young and will continue to grow - we just have to be realistic and not expect him to suddenly develop into a 30-goals-a-season player. He had a good season in 2013/14, but he is miles behind the levels Bale reached in the last two seasons.

[sutro 1,026]

Totally agreed Henrique. And before anyone jumps on what we're saying, neither of us are denying the fact that he is a very special player indeed. He just isn't (obviously) Ronaldo, Bale or Messi level just yet. We need to be patient with Eden, because he is continuing to grow as a person and as a player, and if nurtured correctly, he could become one of the greats of his generation. But right now, Hazard is only really turning it on once every three or four games; in most games he is not the special or world-class player some people on here make him out to be. But he is still very young and will continue to grow - we just have to be realistic and not expect him to suddenly develop into a 30-goals-a-season player. He had a good season in 2013/14, but he is miles behind the levels Bale reached in the last two seasons.

Agree!

Im worried that Hazard doesnt have the winner mentality that all the others you mention clearly have.

He has to step up and say " i wanne be the best and will work my ass of each day to achieve it"

The day he does that the sky is the limit for him.

He takes things to easy and thats one of the reasons why players like kompany and kdb are more popular in Belgium

[Muzchap 8,966]

Agree!

Im worried that Hazard doesnt have the winner mentality that all the others you mention clearly have.

He has to step up and say " i wanne be the best and will work my ass of each day to achieve it"

The day he does that the sky is the limit for him.

He takes things to easy and thats one of the reasons why players like kompany and kdb are more popular in Belgium

If Morinho has NO other skills (which is bollox), the one thing he excels at is player confidence - I think Hazard is in the best place possible right now and I think we will see a massive improvement next season, with Fabregas and Costa - Hazard can move the ball around (which he seems to like)...

[sutro 1,026]

If Morinho has NO other skills (which is bollox), the one thing he excels at is player confidence - I think Hazard is in the best place possible right now and I think we will see a massive improvement next season, with Fabregas and Costa - Hazard can move the ball around (which he seems to like)...

Its his work mentality that bothers me at times not his confidence.

After the russia game he said " i can hide for 80 min and the decide the game with 1 action"

All good but what about not hiding and help the team win with 2 or 3-0?

[bethos1 802]

The Belgian comments on Hazard are just ridiculous, he never gets any support when he has the ball. Vertonghen almost never supports Hazard, it's so frustrating to watch. Sure he can do better but he can't keep fighting a whole match against 2-3 defenders on his own.

[His Majesty 43]

Its his work mentality that bothers me at times not his confidence.

After the russia game he said " i can hide for 80 min and the decide the game with 1 action"

All good but what about not hiding and help the team win with 2 or 3-0?

It's hard to impose your will when Wilmots forbids the left back to go up the pitch and you have to take on 2, 3 men by yourself.

[DYC. 7,542]

Totally agreed Henrique. And before anyone jumps on what we're saying, neither of us are denying the fact that he is a very special player indeed. He just isn't (obviously) Ronaldo, Bale or Messi level just yet. We need to be patient with Eden, because he is continuing to grow as a person and as a player, and if nurtured correctly, he could become one of the greats of his generation. But right now, Hazard is only really turning it on once every three or four games; in most games he is not the special or world-class player some people on here make him out to be. But he is still very young and will continue to grow - we just have to be realistic and not expect him to suddenly develop into a 30-goals-a-season player. He had a good season in 2013/14, but he is miles behind the levels Bale reached in the last two seasons.

Agree with him not comparing to Ronaldo and Messi but Bale? No way. I would've agreed if you said Suarez or Robben. Bale is a better goal-scorer, definitely. It's also a huge part of his game, he's always looking to score goals. Hazard has a completely different style. He's a lot better in the build-up that leads to goals. Looking to create rather than look to score himself.

But Bale also has the tendency to disappear. It would be unfair to compair their stats because of the huge difference in quality and effenciency in the final third between Chelsea and Real Madrid.

I know those who create tend to get (a lot) less credit than those who score but someone who sees him on a weekly basis should recognize his quality. Goal-scorers have it easier. You don't play well, Bale in the CL final for example, but he scored. All is well. Hazard doesn't play well for Belgium but he does create the winning goals. All is not well..

Let's not go too far with the expectations for Hazard. He's definitely already up there with the very best. Bale, Neymar, Hazard and Reus are all on a similar level. Reus has a slight edge imo as he's just brilliant in all parts of the game.

(Neymar's absolutely amazing for Brazil though)

[iseah100 5,612]

Agree with him not comparing to Ronaldo and Messi but Bale? No way. I would've agreed if you said Suarez or Robben. Bale is a better goal-scorer, definitely. It's also a huge part of his game, he's always looking to score goals. Hazard has a completely different style. He's a lot better in the build-up that leads to goals. Looking to create rather than look to score himself.

But Bale also has the tendency to disappear. It wouldbe unfair to compair their stats because of the huge difference in quality and effenciency in the final third between Chelsea and Real Madrid.

I know those who create tend to get (a lot) less credit than those who score but someone who sees him on a weekly basis should recognize his quality. Goal-scorers have it easier. You don't play well, Bale in the CL final for example, but he scored. All is well. Hazard doesn't play well for Belgium but he does create the winning goals. All is not well..

Let's not go to far with Hazard. The expectations are very high but he's definitely already up there with the very best. Bale, Neymar, Hazard and Reus are all on a similar level. Reus has a slight edge imo as he's just brilliant in all parts of the game.

(Neymar's absolutely amazing for Brazil though)

This. There are levels.

Ronaldo & Messi

Robben and Suarez

Everyone else.

Put them where you want, but no other players besides the 4 mentioned show up most games. Bale disappears. Hazard too. Neymar only showed up for Brazil this year. I can go on and on. Hazard can't be compared to Ronaldo and Messi cause those guys makethe pro football lookat like a video game.

[Rom2013 446]

RIght now Bale is also better than Hazard, he scored 21 goals without 1 penalty 2 years ago with the same age Hazard has, And he is playing for Madrid scoring decisive goals in Copa and in CHampions.

Ribery is also in another level.

FOr me Neymar is by far the best young player in the world. He needs to do a lot more in Barcelona but his talent is really clear, and he is a little younger than Hazard.

Hazard needs to do more if he wants to be one of the best players in the world.

[iseah100 5,612]

RIght now Bale is also better than Hazard, he scored 21 goals without 1 penalty 2 years ago with the same age Hazard has, And he is playing for Madrid scoring decisive goals in Copa and in CHampions.

Ribery is also in another level.

FOr me Neymar is by far the best young player in the world. He needs to do a lot more in Barcelona but his talent is really clear, and he is a little younger than Hazard.

Hazard needs to do more if he wants to be one of the best players in the world.

Bale is better than Neymar. But the guys I mentioned are the only guys who show up consistently for 30+ games out of 40.

Neymar isn't better than Hazard. For me, Hazard is better. But everyone can have their opinion.

[LukakutoStamford 779]

Hazard is never going to be the guy who scores 30-40 goals in a campaign because it's not his personality.

[Korea 734]

This. There are levels.

Ronaldo & Messi

Robben and Suarez

Everyone else.

Put them where you want, but no other players besides the 4 mentioned show up most games. Bale disappears. Hazard too. Neymar only showed up for Brazil this year. I can go on and on. Hazard can't be compared to Ronaldo and Messi cause those guys makethe pro football lookat like a video game.

its actually.

Messi

Everyone Else.