Eden Hazard : A quick look

Hazard was one of the most sought after players in Europe after some stellar shows for Lille, put an end to speculation over his future by revealing he had signed for Chelsea. 

Hazard revealed the signing first, in a bizarre fashion on twitter. But it was later confirmed by both Lille and Chelsea.

 

EDEN HAZARD FACTFILE :

• Hazard stands 5ft 8in tall and was born on January 1, 1991 in La Louviere, Belgium.
• 2005 – Moves from Belgian side Tubize to Lille.
• 2007 – Signs first professional contract, three-year deal.
• November – Makes his senior professional debut against Nancy.
• 2008 – September – Becomes youngest goalscorer in Lille’s history
• October – Makes Belgium debut aged just 17
• 2009 – Named France’s Young Player of the Year
• 2010 – Retains the award and becomes the first player to do so
• 2011 – May – Helps Lille to first league title since 1954 and first cup double since 1946. Also voted Ligue 1 player of the Year
• October – Scores first international goal
• 2012 – June – Signs for Chelsea for £32million
• Club appearances 2011-12: 48
• Club goals 2011-12: 21
• Club assists 2011-12: 18
• Total international caps: 28
• Total international goals: 2

 

Game play : 

Hazard is known for his creativity, speed, and technical ability and is described as a “fearless, explosive attacking midfielder who can change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble” He is an attacking midfielder and is also an accomplished winger. He has been credited as being “possibly the outstanding talent in Europe right now” Hazard played as a winger for most of the 2010-11 season and as an attacking midfielder in the 2011-12 season for his former club Lille. 

 

What they said :

• His former club captain Rio Muvaba described Hazard as a great player, with an immense talent. “He’s actually not that big, but he’s so fast. He’s also very difficult to dispossess and his finishing is top-notch”
• Former Marseille manager and media personality Rolland Courbis commented “At times he looks to me like Lionel Messi on the right-hand side”.
• Hazard’s “flair and tricky” style of play has been described as being similar to Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo; a comparison later repeated by former French international Christopher Dugarry.

 

However, despite the positive opinions, Hazard has endured criticism from some. His former national team coach and mentor Dick Advocaat agreed with the majority in that Hazard possessed everything required to be a world-class player.

• However Advocaat admitted that the attacker lacked charisma stating “I told him to have more charisma. He is a talent, but he can not be seen like that forever.
• Also in 2010, current national team manager Georges Leekens questioned Hazard’s work-rate.

 

One can only wait and watch if Hazard is really a legend in the making as claimed by his former team mates and coaches or fade away like the numerous wonder kids before him. Signing for Chelsea has certainly provided him the platform to achieve greatness he could only dream of. Now it is only his consistency and performance that will determine if he really is the man to continue the glory days for Chelsea or if he would end up as a second choice bench warmer.