Eden Hazard, World Class

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard was quoted during an interview with FourFourTwo magazine “I love to use the nutmeg but I mustn’t use it in training, there would be a fight.” Even against the collection of great players at Chelsea Hazard has to be careful to reign in his talents, he's that good.  Put simply, 'Eden Hazard, World Class'.

Hazard won the 2011 PFA young player of the year award back in 2011, again his response to winning such an award was typical of the player, “It's good but it's not enough, I want to achieve perfection”  

Back in hazards early days he felt like he was born to play. His parents Corinne and Thierry both grew up as footballers so it was natural he would inherit the game they loved.  Eden was born in La Louviere and grew up in Braine le Comte, France. In 1995 when Eden was just 4 years old, his football career began when he went down to the Royal Stade Branois youth club.  He played with the youth club for 8 years until his 12th birthday.

Eden Hazard celebrates another goal for Chelsea, it's second nature for a player of his ability.

He then entered the Tubize football academy where he spent 2 years. In 2005, a 14 year old Eden Hazard was offered the perfect opportunity when Lillie scouts visited the academy. Eden grabbed the chance with both hands bagging a place with the great French club he moved there to begin his professional career.

In 2009 Hazard was invited to play for the Belgium national Under 17 & Under 19 squads where he earned 26 caps and bagged 10 goals in just one year.

Three years later Hazard moved to big spenders Chelsea and made an immediate impact on his debut. He made his competitive debut for the blues in a Community Shield match against Man City in August 2012. Chelsea won 2-0 that day and Hazard provided a goal with a great assist showing Chelsea fans what they could expect to see from the player in the coming seasons.

After impressing early on at the club Hazard ‘s energy and high octane performances for Chelsea have led some to describe him as Chelsea’s ‘duracel battery’ powering the midfield and lifting the team when they are flat.  There is no doubting his worth for the Chelsea team, he has been by far their most influencial player this season.

Hazard's scoring record for Belgium is equally as impressive.

In the 2013, Hazard was one of the 23 man shortlist nominated for the Ballon D’or, and it's a matter of time surely before Hazard bags adds this award to his Young Player of the Year Award.

In 2014 Jose Mourinho ,after Chelsea’s 5-3 defeat to Tottenham, stated;

“People are in love with football in this country, people must be in love with Eden Hazard. The way, match after match, he’s being punished by opponents and he’s not being protected by referees, maybe one day we won’t have Eden  Hazard. It’s one, two, three, four, five, 10 aggressive fouls against him. They kick and kick and kick and the kid resists. He’s a very honest guy in the way he plays, but that’s another problem.”

So, Hazard has had some great successes and as his manager says he is a simply excellent player. But there is still much to do for Eden Hazard, in his own words 'I want to achieve perfection'.

Eden Hazard, world class.

by Cammy Dick