Chelsea have often got it wrong with big name signings; Shevchenko and Torres – to a certain extent- are some of the big names who have failed to deliver. Many like Sir Alex Ferguson doubted the transfer fee paid to the player. It looks like Eden Hazard won’t be coming into that category.
The privilege of having an exciting player like Lionel Messi is available to only a select few clubs in the world. Real Madrid have it, Barcelona have it, Manchester United had it; however, it is finally the turn of Chelsea to have such a player. The 21-year-old Belgian cost a whopping £ 32 million, while he is on a contract worth around £ 150,000 per week. After seeing the matches against Wigan and Reading, these figures seem like peanuts because Hazard is such a wonderful player.
It does not take long to realise that Hazard could easily become the next Lionel Messi; the guy has the lot whether it be pace, skill, intelligence, awareness, and hard work. He may not have scored for Chelsea yet, but he has already contributed five assists in just two games. This statistic is even more impressive when you consider that Chelsea have scored just six goals in these matches.
Prior to his move to Stamford Bridge, Joe Cole said
“Hazard is different class. He’s still only 21 and has definitely got another few gears to go up. Me’s got the same attitude as Wayne Rooney at that age – he’s fearless.”
The former Lille manager, Claude Puel said
“”It was immediately obvious he was a special talent. I still remember his first game against FC Bruges. As soon as I sent him on, he left four or five players in his wake and scored an amazing goal.”
Due to his all-round ability, Eden Hazard can be played anywhere across the front three. I, however, think that he is at his best on the left-hand side dribbling past the defenders.
Eden Hazard is a truly amazing player, but in order to reach the levels of Lionel Messi, he has a long way to go. However, with so many facets to his game and with such quality of players around him, it will only be a matter of time before Hazard becomes one of the best players in the world.
