Chelsea star Eden Hazard underlined his brilliance towards West Ham on Monday evening when he netted each targets in a 2-Zero win at Stamford Bridge.
These targets despatched the Blues again into the Champions League locations and the opener from the Belgian was one in every of his, and the Premier League’s, greatest ever particular person efforts.
The way forward for Hazard stays unclear nonetheless, with Actual Madrid lurking within the shadows hoping to persuade the participant he’s higher of taking part in for them beneath the steering of his hero, Zinedine Zidane.
So, if Hazard does depart in the summertime, what’s going to his legacy have been at Chelsea after seven years with the membership?
In his post match interview, Hazard stood with his arms folded, shrugged his shoulders in an unassuming manner and answered each question with nonchalant honesty. While the standard monologue is littered with cliches and repetitive phrases from a sniffling, sweaty footballer, still trying to get their breath back, the Belgian is rarely evasive, the complete opposite to how he is on the pitch.
No doubt West Ham would have seen it before, training probably consisted of drills specifically designed to halt Hazard, Mark Noble issuing a last-minute warning to his defence to stay tight, don’t give him any space.
However whether or not they had watched him, ready for him, spoke about him, there may be little or no any crew can do to thwart Hazard when he’s within the temper and Monday evening was the right instance. These quick, fast strides, low centre of gravity, a ahead thrust so onerous to interrupt, completed with a purpose.
And for a lot of his Chelsea profession, Hazard has been within the temper, however when he’s not, the inconsistency is extended, he as soon as went 11 months with no Premier League purpose between 2015 and 2016, the one season he failed to succeed in double figures in all competitions.
For a lot of his time at Stamford Bridge, Hazard has ceaselessly been in comparison with two greats of the trendy era; Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, each have been on the prime of their recreation for effectively over a decade and each are able to swinging the pendulum again within the favour of their aspect, as they’ve proven on quite a few events.
So to can Hazard, after all there could be no doubting that, his brilliance has helped win two league titles and different home honours, since he joined the membership in 2012, together with a variety of private accolades – he was Participant of the 12 months in 2015 and completed within the prime 10 twice for the Ballon d’Or.
Advanced relationships with Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte didn’t get in the way in which of his important contribution to Chelsea’s league triumphs, however in each the seasons that adopted, the query, maybe unfairly requested of their talisman is may he have carried out extra?
This season, Hazard continues to set the requirements at each Chelsea and the Premier League, his purpose involvement of 28 is greater than another participant within the top-flight, whereas his 19 targets have matched his earlier private greatest. Hazard has by no means had a lot hassle expressing himself, however this marketing campaign has maybe been his most constant, now 28, he’s within the midst of his peak years.
Such is his significance, that when has performs poorly, his team-mates are more likely to do the identical.
“It is going to be as massive a loss to a crew as Thierry Henry was when he left to go to Barcelona,” Tony Cascarino told talkSPORT.
“He [Hazard] is up there with the easiest. If he will get you from a standing begin and he stops, you’re in hassle. There aren’t many gamers I can say that about.”
The courting from Actual Madrid has hardly been delicate, they’ve by no means made it a secret when a participant takes their curiosity and Hazard, to his credit score, has not misplaced focus, West Ham followers chanted ‘he’s off to Madrid’ however Hazard dismissed the playful antagonism with a respectful snort and reiterated his want to stay with Chelsea.
Deep down, nonetheless, the prevailing feeling is that Hazard will comply with his coronary heart and transfer to Spain and Actual in the summertime, you sense he has gone so far as he can. It’s no secret he admires Zidane and his want to achieve the Champions League and win a Ballon d’Or are additionally components.
Whereas his legacy at Chelsea was not initially apparent, up towards the likes of Frank Lampard or Didier Drogba, Hazard has proven he’s worthy of being thought-about a membership legend, there may be even debate as as to if he might be the membership’s greatest ever participant.
Nevertheless he’s remembered, ought to he determine to go off for pastures new, Chelsea and the Premier League will definitely be a poorer place with out Hazard.
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