Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard is in unstoppable form and is arguably one of the best Chelsea players right now, so I decided to assess what is so good about Hazard…

Hazard was definitely the best player at Lille during his days in the Ligue 1 winning the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 10-11 & 11-12 and winning UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year in 08-09 & 09-10. Hazard mainly plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger. Hazard is known for his creativity, speed, and technique. Hazard is described as a player with the ability to ‘change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble’. Hazard is what you would call a ‘defenders nightmare’ but if you’re in the same squad as him, a ‘strikers dream’. Hazard has been compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for his style of play managing to get the 58^th place in the ‘100 best footballers in the world’ by the Guardian, a magnificent achievement for a lad of 21 years old at the time. The French legend, Zinedine Zidane quoted ‘I believe Eden Hazard will be one of the best players in football history, no question!’, a compliment of this caliber from one of the greatest players in football isn’t something you could just forget, no, it is something you should take to heart and try to achieve even more, exactly what Hazard has done by moving the Champions of Europe, Chelsea Football Club…

Eden Hazard possesses the same qualities Cristiano Ronaldo does, maybe not the ability to header the ball even though he has scored one header this season but he makes up for it in every other category. Below is a list of a few qualities that Eden Hazard possesses (WhoScored)

Below is a list of qualities that Cristiano Ronaldo possesses (WhoScored)

Now as you can see by those two photos, are Eden Hazard and Cristiano Ronaldo any different in terms of style of play? Ronaldo tends to be more of a long shot specialist whereas Hazard is more of a passing/dribbling specialist. Now I’m not saying you can compare the two players at the moment but who’s to say that Eden Hazard will not be as good as or even better than Ronaldo in the future?

Eden Hazard is having an immense debut season for Chelsea managing to score 12 goals and 20 assists, already matching Juan Mata’s tally in his debut season for Chelsea! Hazard has scored a range of different goals this season varying from long shots, top corner finishes and even a header. Hazard has managed to get 5 goals with his left foot which is supposedly his ‘weaker’ foot, 6 goals with his right foot and 1 with his head. Hazard’s skills and tricks have been amazing this season, here’s a few links for you:

• Hazard rabona pass vs QPR – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pmYBY1JqtE
• Hazard vs West Ham – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWGvB4k6hM8
• Hazard vs Sparta Prague – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmv-1KToCEU (I WAS THERE!)

If you watch those video clips, you’ll see Hazard’s ability to spot a pass, his ability to get away from players and his lethal shot, an overall winger/attacking midfielder you could say…

What has impressed me the most is how much Hazard has improved his defensive ability helping out Cole who keeps getting beat for pace by pacey wingers and Hazard constantly helping him out after a disappointing season by Ashley Cole who has not been in the best form.

Can Hazard really become one of the best players in football history, with the quality he possesses, who’s to say he can’t?