Here we are comparing two superstars of the English Premier League this season, Manchester United’s British record signing, wearing the number 7 jersey, Angel Di Maria and the Belgian trickster who runs the show for the mighty Blues from the Bridge, donning the number 10, Eden Hazard from Chelsea. Both are amongst the best attacking midfielders or wingers in the league and are extremely important parts of their club. We are comparing their stats of last season, and arriving on a verdict as to which player is bound to perform better and why.
Angel Di Maria – La Liga 2013-14
Apps: 28(6)
Goals: 4
Assists: 17
Key passes/Game: 2.6
Shots/Game: 1.9
Dribbles/Game: 1.4
Eden Hazard – EPL 2013-14
Apps: 32(3)
Goals: 14
Assists: 7
Key passes/Game: 2.6
Shots/Game: 2.9
Dribbles/Game: 3.8
Wow! Just look at those stats! The comparison between the two superstars is so close that we have to really work out ways to analyze them. In terms of numbers, Hazard and Di Maria have accounted for the same number of goals either directly or indirectly (21). Di Maria got his tally mostly with his assists while Hazard himself scored the goals. We have a clear winner in terms of other stats in Eden Hazard who has much impressive figures than the Argentine genius.
There is a tie at key passes/game as both players have 2.6. But the Belgian beats Di Maria in dribbles and shots. So in terms of sheer attacking prowess, we can surely expect Hazard to be better than Di Maria solely because he has been playing at a higher level in the fast paced Premier League with a strong balance of pace, power, work rate and flair. Di Maria’s performances in La Liga were top notch, but the competition was much lesser than EPL. Plus he had much better finishers ahead of him in the form of Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema to do the job whenever he passed to them, no wonder him bagging an unusually high 17 assists.
Passing stats
Di Maria
Pass %: 82.1
Successful crosses/game: 2.1
Accurate long balls/ game: 3.3
Eden Hazard
Pass%: 83.4
Successful crosses/game: 0.3
Accurate long balls/ game: 1.6
It is pretty apparent to us about the players’ preferences. Hazard is excellent with the ball and wants to take on defenders and score or assist using combination play. Di Maria is much more direct and believes more in providing service- a world class winger. So in terms of a cutting-inside forward from the wings, Eden Hazard excels. But Di Maria is a classic winger with great pace and control, with top crossing abilities.
When we compare the two players, we understand easily that Di Maria is the deliverer of service to the shooters while Hazard, a perfect blend of advanced play making and a shooting winger, who likes to be involved more in dribbles and close range chance creation. It is not easy to prove your abilities in the Premier League, but Di Maria has that quality in him to do so. It was his natural talent that made him excel even when playing in unusual positions, if Di Maria can replicate half of what he did last season while playing more centrally this term, it would mean he is a success given that it is his first season in England.
Hazard on the other hand has already proved his prowess and now wants to assist more as Costa is as hungry as ever to score more and more goals. It remains a tough choice, especially as Man Utd don’t have any lesser finishers than Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema as Di Maria now caters to Rooney, van Persie and Falcao. But going by the usual trend, Eden Hazard, having proved himself already is surely expected to have a strong season with Chelsea. Man Utd on the other hand are struggling for balance in the team and Di Maria may have to play in an unusual deep position.
Final Verdict: Who is more expected to shine?
Eden Hazard.
Stats taken from Whoscored