Eden Hazard - Chelsea Legend

[big blue]

really think he's starting to show his class since around december.

started off well for us but then had a month where form dipped. Now he seems to have gone up a level in recent weeks, and is taking on more and more responsibility.

Classy player who I'm praying doesn't do a robben and head to spain! great goals against villa, stoke, and sparta, and more to come from him I'm sure

[CunningStunt]

Agreed. He's certainly been one of our top 3 players this season imo. Also I think 'his form dropped' line is a bit of a myth. I'd say he's exceptionally consistent and I can't recall any bad games he's had for us. I'm a big fan. He has all the tools to step up a level and become an elite player on the Iniesta/Ozil level.

[bluegraham]

My mate asked me at the start of the season what do I think of hazard and I said I reckon he could be one of our best ever if he stayed here 10 years. What a player.

[Scott Harris]

I think he is awesome. I don't think he realises how good he is at taking full backs on, if he did he would do it more often.

[Chelsea Rorec]

My mate asked me at the start of the season what do I think of hazard and I said I reckon he could be one of our best ever if he stayed here 10 years. What a player.

 

I think next season he will go up a level like Mata did this season, Hazard oozes class.

[chelseablueboy]

For me, of all the 'new' young lads we have he is the signing that could really be 'the one'.

I genuinely believe he could be our Ronaldo/Messi.

He has it all, Strength, pace, skill, eye for goal, consistency, and the thing that separates him from the norm.. A perpencity for the spectacular. 

He's already used to being under pressure (since being voted young player of the year in France twice 16/17 then player of the year TWICE!! 18/19 before moving to us)

I would go as far to say IMO he is the brightest prospect at the club in a very long time, he just has the 'something'

How many players are there that could have come on and done whet he did on Weds?, he just slots straight into the game even when bought on as a sub (and that wasn't the first time he's made an impression coming on late).

I've watched this lad for 5 yrs now, he's never looked out of his depth (even at 16 playing in the top division in France) and he is very, very, special.

[bluegraham]

For me, of all the 'new' young lads we have he is the signing that could really be 'tihe one'.

I genuinely believe he could be our Ronaldo/Messi.

He has it all, Strength, pace, skill, eye for goal, consistency, and the thing that separates him from the norm.. A perpencity for the spectacular.

He's already used to being under pressure (since being voted young player of the year in France twice 16/17 then player of the year TWICE!! 18/19 before moving to us)

I would go as far to say IMO he is the brightest prospect at the club in a very long time, he just has the 'something'

How many players are there that could have come on and done whet he did on Weds?, he just slots straight into the game even when bought on as a sub (and that wasn't the first time he's made an impression coming on late).

I've watched this lad for 5 yrs now, he's never looked out of his depth (even at 16 playing in the top division in France) and he is very, very, special.

Yeah bang on. Are you still in champions league mode? Ha ha

[enigma]

Hope he stays for at least another 5 years. He deserves an appreciation thread just for that Europa League goal! 

[Chelsea Rorec]

Hope he stays for at least another 5 years. He deserves an appreciation thread just for that Europa League goal! 

 

His first European goal for the club as well.

[Lyncath]

Great signing and...

When one considers that we get his little brudda back from loan next season, whom Eden himself says is far better than himself... Me Gusta...

[Englishman]

For me, of all the 'new' young lads we have he is the signing that could really be 'the one'.

I genuinely believe he could be our Ronaldo/Messi.

He has it all, Strength, pace, skill, eye for goal, consistency, and the thing that separates him from the norm.. A perpencity for the spectacular. 

He's already used to being under pressure (since being voted young player of the year in France twice 16/17 then player of the year TWICE!! 18/19 before moving to us)

I would go as far to say IMO he is the brightest prospect at the club in a very long time, he just has the 'something'

How many players are there that could have come on and done whet he did on Weds?, he just slots straight into the game even when bought on as a sub (and that wasn't the first time he's made an impression coming on late).

I've watched this lad for 5 yrs now, he's never looked out of his depth (even at 16 playing in the top division in France) and he is very, very, special.

 

I've also been impressed that, unlike many players of his ilk, he's tough and doesn't become a passenger when the opposition try to kick him out of the game.

[evissy]

Lot of people here in this forum were talking that his complicated personality would be a problem and he is a troublemaker. I didn't buy it. Look what an absolute professional he's been. No stories off the field, only positive stories from on field performances.

He is not diving or exaggerate falling or anything in that category.

We had no one close to his ability last season in terms of going past people or someone who has such a silky first touch. It is better than Mata's.

[Robuk88]

Eden is by far one of the best players I've ever seen for his position he's got it all eye for goal excellent passing and most of all not scared and does successfully take on other defences he will only get better and I can certainly see another ronaldo if not better

[bluedrake55]

and he takes no sh*t! especially from some fat kid trying to eat the ball!

[mad_mac]

For me, of all the 'new' young lads we have he is the signing that could really be 'the one'.

I genuinely believe he could be our Ronaldo/Messi.

He has it all, Strength, pace, skill, eye for goal, consistency, and the thing that separates him from the norm.. A perpencity for the spectacular. 

He's already used to being under pressure (since being voted young player of the year in France twice 16/17 then player of the year TWICE!! 18/19 before moving to us)

I would go as far to say IMO he is the brightest prospect at the club in a very long time, he just has the 'something'

How many players are there that could have come on and done whet he did on Weds?, he just slots straight into the game even when bought on as a sub (and that wasn't the first time he's made an impression coming on late).

I've watched this lad for 5 yrs now, he's never looked out of his depth (even at 16 playing in the top division in France) and he is very, very, special.

 

Totally agree, he just has something about him and he genuinely loves playing.  I don't know why but I think he'd also be great fun to go and have a pint with?

 

 

I've also been impressed that, unlike many players of his ilk, he's tough and doesn't become a passenger when the opposition try to kick him out of the game.

 

 

I've said this before, but I think it was pricks like Tony Gale etc that started saying he was a bit of a diver, or words to that effect, when we were denied a couple of penalties under RDM.  He is kicked off the pitch nearly every match, he was the "most fouled" player in France the last season he was there, and this season he looks to be up there in the Prem.  He is constantly niggled, and to be fair when you see him in person he niggles back just as good.

 

I love this little player.  I can't describe what it is, but as we've stated he just has something.

 

Right now I think Mata is a better all round player, and i love Mata as a player too.  But Eden looks to be the player that I think will become a bit of a cult hero.  I just hope we can keep him for several seasons.  If he continues the way he is, then I think Spain will come knocking.

[big blue]

I think he in one of the most exciting players weve had in a chelsea shirt. I look forward to seeing him play probably more than anyone else at the moment.

[londonblue]

does anyone know how good his brothers are?

[BelgianRedDevils]

I've also been impressed that, unlike many players of his ilk, he's tough and doesn't become a passenger when the opposition try to kick him out of the game.

I think this is one of the things that can make him 'one of the greatest'. Like Messi/Ronaldo style

[Gormo1997]

The amount of free kicks he wins is amazing must have one of the highest number of free kicks won in the league maybe even europe!

[Jonty]

I just hope he starts taking on defenders more often, there's no doubt hes got the pace and trickery to do it, too often he's 1 on 1 with a full back and chooses to offload it instead, have a go Eden we aren't going to boo you if you lose it.

[Lofty.]

Sunday Times article:

 

Eden's big on style

The Belgian youngster, who will cost Chelsea £78m in transfer fee and wages, yearns to be the matchwinner against City today

HE JUDGES himself on goals and assists. Late on Thursday, with a surge of audacity and technique, Eden Hazard decided a European tie in an instant, something Chelsea had wanted when they committed £78m in transfer fee and wages on his developing talent.

As impressive as Hazards ability to change games is how many he plays. Artists are supposed to be delicate. Hazard is durable. Among Premier League footballers only Juan Mata (44) has made more 2012-13 appearances than him (43). At Lille he was renowned for not missing games.

It shouldnt be that way for a 5ft 7in, 10st 12lb dribbler, whose very job involves taking the ball between brute defenders. Like a cyclist successfully weaving the wrong way down a motorway, Hazard somehow stays unscathed. He doesnt want to tempt fate by talking much about avoiding knocks but he has a theory. "Its not, necessarily, that Im brave but Ill go into the tackle and Im light on my feet. I did judo as a kid . . ." he said with a scampish smile. "So I know how to fall."

Bolo Zenden, Chelseas assistant coach, was a champion child judoka and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a taekwondo black belt. "Maybe thats the remedy," Hazard grins. "He doesnt get many injuries, Zlatan, does he? If you want to be a good footballer and avoid injury, before you take the field do martial arts . . . I wouldnt fight Zlatan, though."

He spoke on Friday, the buzz from his inspired Europa League strike versus Sparta Prague still fresh. He was buoyed, full of cheek and laughs.

Matchwinning interventions are what such players crave. "Thats whats expected of me, especially when I come off the bench. I do my absolute best to help win the game. When we were kids we probably all dreamt about dribbling round the entire side then scoring, doing nutmegs all over the field, but in reality its not like that. Some of us grow up to be goalies, defenders.

"Fortunately I get the chance to do decisive things further up the field. I try and enjoy and entertain but at the same time remaining serious and trying to win the game for my team."

Sadly, as they mature, some lose their boldness on the ball, though theres enough of the imp in Hazard, of the boyish stick of rock iness often present in scorer-creators, for his style to stay intact. But pressure is testing and it helps any Chelsea player to know how to fall. Few clubs generate coverage so extreme. Hazard became yet another Chelsea footballer sent tumbling from back-page grace after tangling with a ballboy at Swansea. Having defended himself successfully against a Football Association charge, the fallout is now gone and Hazard reflects on what he learnt.

"I suppose it went to prove the size of Chelsea and that people pay attention to every detail, every incident good and bad. That obviously wasnt a good incident but hopefully its in the past and were not going to speak about it too much in the future. But it did draw my attention to the fact any slight thing is taken note of the world over and you have to be careful." Yet the spotlight is also what drew Hazard to Chelsea.

By 21 he was double footballer of the year in France, itching for a grander stage. He spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini and Roman Abramovich as Manchester United, todays opponents Manchester City and Chelsea wooed him. Hazard, readily tweeting updates on developments, plainly enjoyed being at the centre of a transfer saga. "I think every player, if theyre being honest, loves to see their name in the headlines. Hazard has just done this!" he said, with refreshing candour.

More than the adulation that comes at a leading side, he enjoys the accountability. "I suppose the big [adjustment at Chelsea] is its almost forbidden to lose. You realise youre at such a big club, the demands are so high and all the time, you put yourself on the line. Its good to learn and improve your game at this high level. The fact victory is an absolute must here has been the main change."

What about the Premier League? "I havent found it too much more physically demanding but theres a difference in the intensity. Theres no dead time, no breathing space in a game. Its 100% all the time. In France you might pass the ball around for five minutes and have a rest. But its the style I like. Im young, I like to run about and have an all-action game."

Forty-three games by February, though: isnt he spent? No, Hazard laughed: "I eat pasta every day."

He said recently in Belgium hed give himself 7/10 for his debut season in England. That seems about right. Perhaps he could have come up with more moments like Thursdays. On the other hand, thats a judgment influenced by his transfer fee (£32m) and when you look from the viewpoint of his age (hes less than one year older than Jack Wilshere) and that hes in the first eight months of life in a new country, league and culture, you see startling potential. Nine goals and 10 assists already is a tangible contribution.

He, Oscar and Mata are charged with leading Chelsea towards a subtler style. "You could add to the list Victor Moses, weve all got similar profiles as players. The team that won the Champions League maybe relied more on the strength and power of Didier [Drogba] and Fernando [Torres]. Now the forwards like the ball at our feet and maybe its a more collective style that sometimes comes off, sometimes not. The more we play together the better it will get."

He feels Rafael Benitez has been sensible not to try to change the course of Chelseas evolution, instead focusing on improving the "small details".

"Each coach has different methods, but its the same set of players who all know each other and how we play. Overall, its the managers who [should] adapt to the players they have," Hazard said.

Supporter protests against Benitez? "When youre on the field, of course you hear whats going on from the stands, any booing or jeering. But youre concentrated on the game. You have to respect the fans opinions but were fine with the manager. Were going to do all we can for the manager and fight to win the game for Chelsea FC."

Hazard caused controversy in Belgium early in his career when, on national team duty, he defended a poor show in a training session by remarking that more important was how he played in games. He echoed this when asked about Benitezs sessions. "I wouldnt say theyre any more intense [than under Roberto Di Matteo but its more tactical. He speaks a lot more in training and gets involved more . . . But its all about the matches, isnt it? Training can be rubbish as long as youre winning."

What would make this a successful season? "Personally, more goals and assists. For the team, trophies. OK, the leagues just about out of sight but were still in the Europa League and FA Cup. Those are two strong possibilities. And I suppose in the worst case scenario we have to ensure Champions League qualification."

He talks of life off the pitch. Hes a young dad, with sons Yanis, two, and newborn Leo the same name Torres and Gary Cahill chose for their sons. "Im a bit of a homebird," Hazard said. "Im not really one for shopping and I like spending time with my kids and wife [Natasha]. Sometimes my parents come and stay, sometimes mates. But I like my own space, I watch a lot of TV, Im a simple guy." A simple guy who ask Sparta Prague does special things.

[Amputechture]

That was a good read, Tommy. Thanks.

[Charles Ryder]

Great read TD.

 

The team that won the Champions League maybe relied more on the strength and power of Didier [Drogba] and Fernando [Torres].

 

Aww, bless him!

[bluegraham]

He sounds down to earth. Hope he stays for years.

[jack_super_class]

Cheers for the article was a good read.Love Hazard and yeah lets hope he stays here for years.