He may be the most expensive import of the 2012 Summer transfer window, but if his first three games are anything to go by, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard will be worth every penny of the £32 million pounds they paid for him.
His impact has been evident, as he has scored once and racked up five assists for Roberto Di Matteo’s team as they have stormed to the top of the Premier League. The 21 year olds displays have been outstanding, his team mates clearly love playing with him and, possibly more importantly, he is bringing the best out of £50 million striker Fernando Torres. Torres of course is burdening the extra responsibility of not only being Chelsea’s main threat up front, but having no Didier Drogba to fall back on.
Hazard’s transfer to Chelsea may have had all the drama of an episode of EastEnders, with his dramatic tweets and Le Bron James like tip-toeing around the decision on who he was signing for, but for every ounce of ego he portrays, he seeming has the skills to back it up. He also has a winning attitude which was evident recently when he was quoted in The Sun as saying:
At Chelsea you have to win every game. The objective is win, win, win. This season I think there are seven trophies to play for. We played the first one against Manchester City in the Community Shield. If we get two or three from the remaining six that will be great.
This isn’t to say its been a perfect start, as there have been some criticisms that he lacks the will to defend as part of the unit. This may be more than a little unfair. Christiano Ronaldo is infamous for his sometimes less-than-enthusiastic defensive duties. Chelsea, however, have rarely needed him to be disciplined or defensive in any of their games so far, so judgement on this side of his game should be reserved for important league games or Champions League games.
The Belgian International is happy in London though, and the arrival of his younger brother at Chelsea with him may be a big part of that. Chelsea will know that a happy Hazard is a dangerous Hazard who will continue to terrorise English and Continental defences alike. They’ll also be aware that after spending over £70 million on transfers over the summer, the European Champions will be expected to bring more silverware to the Bridge this season. Eden Hazard, the enigmatic Belgian, might be the man to lead the charge to further glory.