Eden Hazard

[DH1988 1,348]

I'm perfectly happy for him to keep playing like this whilst Mata is on fire, when Mata dips, Hazard will peak, when Hazard dips again, Oscar will peak

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

His form has returned to normal after those brilliant first few games. As expected. He is very young and this is his first season in the EPL. Anyway its annoying to see Hazard is suffering from 'Suarez syndrome'. He is being disallowed clear cut penalties because of this perception of diving, which he clearly isn't.

[Spike 12,049]

Starts (7)

Wigan (away)

Reading (home)

Newcastle (home)

QPR (away)

Stoke (home)

Arsenal (away)

Norwich (home)

Assists (4)

Pass to Ivanovic (Wigan)

Pass to Cahill (Reading)

Layoff to Ivanovic (Reading

Backheel to Torres (Newcastle)

Goals (2)

Penalty against Newcastle (won by Torres)

One one with the Keeper against Norwich (pass from Mata)

Penalties won (2)

Won penalty that Lampard converted (Wigan)

Won penalty that Lampard converted (Reading)

MOTM (3)

v Wigan

v Reading

v Newcastle

Does he have any other MOTM awards?

[Stingray 9,441]

I must say I am actually stunned when people say stuff like 'Hazard isn't all that great' or even 'I want to see Marin play in his place'.

Do you even watch the games? Do you see the stats on that guy (passes, assists)? Do you notice the dynamics and threat he brings to the pitch? Do you see the creativity he and Mata generate together?

I wonder what you expect then from a 21 year old newbie? I don't see how he could have done better? Oscar has faded out more regularly in games though he has been brought more sparingly and I don't see people nagging about that, for example (this does NOT imply he is not a world class talent, mind you!)

I get a feeling this is just being overly critical and Hazard deserves more respect. I will get back to this post at the end of the season. We'll see about it then. Fuck this.

[meetdoscar 335]

The energy hazard provides alone in attack is crazy, switching from wing to wing and through the midfield like a bull looking for a red flag. I luv this guy and in my opinion only ribery and Ronaldo provide such robust energy in attack.

[Peppi85 110]

Calm down Sting

One of the biggest doubters on this forum has turned 180° on his first opinion... This one will do the same. Just a matter of time

You can see that the "genius 3" + Torres are gellin together, match after match they will get better. They are gettin to know where to expect the ball or where to be expected for that trough ball, where to make space for a teammate etc... They also know these players will make the keypass, so they actually make the effort to run in that hole!

We were all jerkin off on Mata's trough ball on Hazard (and with good reason!), but Hazard gave 2 great trough balls himself to Torres & Mata! but to get an assist they have to score obviously...

Marin is a good player but he is very injury prone, thats why his price was so low. He got to get fit first to be a sub, & then were not even talkin bout a start... But he will get his time if you see the calendar after the international break... It's all about big matches there, so all players need to be fit!

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Marin is a great player but his end product isn't 10% as decisive Hazard's.

[Atholy 1,293]

4 assists, 2 penalties won & 2 goals in 7 games!! I can't really see why someone would be dissapointed by his performance in a new team/league!

Also keep in mind that those records could easily been higher if the referees (3 clear penalties denied) and his teammates (great 'should be' assist passes without a goal to follow) would helped a little!

Remember he's discovering a whole new competition which is clearly way higher than the one he came from + he has to find his spot around 10 totally new teammates.

I've been following him for a long time now. One thing that undoubtedly goes like a red line through his career is his absolute talent and football intelligence!

At the -19 belgium national squad hazard was the key player who really went for a 'walk in the park' every single game! This means he really played with the defenders, dribbling 4-5... or dribbling a guy and let him come back, just for the fun of dribbling him again. He scored a lot of goals & gave a serious amount of assists in that team. Conclusion... Eden was simply way too good for both his teammates and the opposition => free role

At Lille, he was introduced in the first team with a goal in his debut game & a game winning performance a few games later in the League cup against league leaders & eternal french champions Lyon (he scored an amazing goals that game and also gave both assist to win 3-2!). This was one of the first times Hazard played with the 1st team (maybe even his first game as a starter?). Look at the confidence that this 18(!!!) year old boy brings on the pitch. The commentators really couldn't believe it... "He's incredible... he simply is incredible this young lad"

With a debut performance like this, Eden continued his great form game by game. Every game he became more and more important for the team (as an 18 year old kid!!). He quickly found his spot in the team... and because he's blessed with such amazing talent, soon Lille's manager also gave him the free role in his team. Both at Lille and the Belgium National under19 squad Eden was the only playmaker. He was free to run across the pitch (left, right, deep, low,...) and come to pick up the ball at anytime/anyplace. Take the time to watch some of his games on youtube (channel EdenHazard10i makes amazing Eden Hazard VS team X almost every single game the last two years!). You will see Eden running around the pitch and being a very active playmaker.. owning the pitch and displaying his amazing technique. Because of his clear talent he decided a lot of games with goals and assists... also he clearly made his teammates around him play a lot better!

At the Belgium national 1st team... the story was a little more difficult. Eden came (as the Lille and under 19 team STAR player) in a team with a lot of star players. He didn't get the free role in the team and had to stay in his position (started as a winger... at the moment he is also used as the n° 10). This was clearly a big adjustment for this 20 year old boy... who probably always have been the best player BY far on every pitch he played on. Also because the belgian fans & media(!!!) expected TOO much of their new idol... Eden heads off for a difficult start. Luckily by this time, Eden has found his place in the squad!

At Chelsea... I was a little bit afraid that the national squad scenario would repeat itself. Eden clearly is not the only big star player in the team anymore ... so he needed to adapt himself to this situation. For the record I really think this is difficult for ANY star player who leaves his former 'small' team and gets surrounded by many other big names. So I really wouldn't blame Eden for a second if it showed he needed time to adapt at Chelsea.

But look at his performances now. Clearly adapted himself amazingly well in the star team! Plays 100% the team (instead of his former teams playing for him) but still finds the moments to shine when needed! OH YES you didn't see him dribble 5 guys in a row... and toying with the defense game after game... But why would he?

And make no mistake... he clearly can if he wanted! But Eden just wants to stay low profile at the moment. I couldn't blame him at all with these assists/goals/MOTM records!!

Also don't forget that in a team with Mata & Oscar... Chelsea now have 3 playmakers. The way Mata plays is actually very similar to the way Eden played at Lille. With Mata (& Oscar) on his side... Hazard hasn't got the space he had at Lille anymore and thus has to play very differently!

So my conclusion:

Did we see the real Eden Hazard at Chelsea: at the moment we didn't. But I cannot really say I don't like his new role...

Will we see the creative Eden soon: all depends on the space he will get. At the moment his creativity is limited because of Mata/Oscar & Eden doesn't put a lot of risk in his game.

Do we have the best and most creative midfield with Eden/Mata & Oscar: Hell yes!!! The link up play with these 3 looks brilliant! What a future we have!!

The difference between last year and this year is out of this world!! The creative midfield we were shouting for has clearly arrived! The future looks blue!!!

KTBFHH :blue scalf:

[Term-X 7,891]

Well, if he's desperate to join Madrid next time, how are we gonna stop him from doing that then? Even Fergie sold Ronaldo for big bucks to them when he wanted to go there.

Roman >>> The Glazers

Fergie's opinion on the sale ("I wouldn't sell them [Real Madrid] a virus") was disregarded.

[DYC. 7,542]

Roman >>> The Glazers

Fergie's opinion on the sale ("I wouldn't sell them [Real Madrid] a virus") was disregarded.

If true, I wouldn't mind selling Hazard if they're willing to pay at least double the amount we paid and we get Neymar or Gotze as his replacement.

Eden happy, Real happy, Chelsea happy/happiest.

Though you are right, Roman would never have to sell. But I wouldn't want a player here who's not happy, doesn't matter who he is.

[Hutcho 8,443]

I think you can tell his quality when many people are saying he has played ok, and has 2 goals and a lot of assists (dependant on whether you count penalties as assits or not). The fact he may not have performed at his best, and yet has still done amazing (imo) is great signs. We have 3 amazing creative players. Last game i thought he played well but Mata stepped up even more. Against Juve, Oscar shone. If 2 can have a good game while one has a great game then we are gonna be very happy people; and if they all turn it on at once then we are in for a right treat.

But back on the subject, i couldn't be happier. Great team performances as well as individual performances, for his first season in the premier league. Lets not forget people that whilst he is often compared to the likes of santi Carzorla, he is also 6 years younger than him. That is a lot of time, experience and improving that can be gained, whilst in my opinion already being a better all round AM.

[Term-X 7,891]

If true, I wouldn't mind selling Hazard if they're willing to pay at least double the amount and we get Neymar or Gotze as his replacement.

Eden happy, Real happy, Chelsea happy/happiest.

Though you are right, Roman would never have to sell. But I wouldn't want a player here who's not happy, doesn't matter who he is.

It would be hard to make a considerable return on investment with Hazard though, unless he really does become a superstar.

[DYC. 7,542]

It would be hard to make a considerable return on investment with Hazard though, unless he really does become a superstar.

True. That's why in any other I would never sell. Just look at Tevez at City, he would've left if a club was willing to meet City's price.

Don't think he wants to leave anyway. Not in the coming 3-5 years that is.

[Kojo 4,676]

People think they can tell the future, what's with all the Real Madrid shit?, why does this have to happen?. You all act as if it's destiny.

Hazard is a player i believe who knows what's best for him, and he wants to have the best career possible, he came to us to develope his talents and also win things. Fair play if he wants to win more things and knows he's good enough. But doesn't mean it will happen, i think he will love it here and stay personally.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

People think they can tell the future, what's with all the Real Madrid shit?, why does this have to happen?. You all act as if it's destiny.

Hazard is a player i believe who knows what's best for him, and he wants to have the best career possible, he came to us to develope his talents and also win things. Fair play if he wants to win more things and knows he's good enough. But doesn't mean it will happen, i think he will love it here and stay personally.

I agree, like it says in my sig:

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment

He has had a nice successful start but he is still a new signing, you can't really predict what can happen - he can having an injury that ruins his form, club go into financial turmoil, get bitten by a penguin - the variables are many, but we should really just enjoy this period of time where he is kicking ass and chewing bubble gum.