Eden Hazard | A Magician who forgot his own tricks
Eden Hazard is not someone you would name with genuine confidence while discussing the best players in the world at the moment. Hazard’s fall from grace is truly shocking and saddening. One of the finest at his peak, Eden Hazard fulfilled one of his biggest dreams when he joined Real Madrid in 2019. With Hazard being handed the legendary number 7 as the successor of Cristiano Ronaldo, there were high expectations and hopes that Santiago Bernabéu will fall in love with the beautiful individual that was Eden Hazard. Eden Hazard was just that good when he came from Chelsea where he made a name for himself as a world-class player. It has been almost 3 years since his signing but unfortunately, Eden Hazard’s Real Madrid career isn’t even remotely close to what was expected of him. Be it for his own faults or misfortunes, it’s something hugely disappointing to what it has come to. Looking back to Eden Hazard of the past, you would understand the amount of disappointment makes complete sense. How good was Eden? He was a phenomenal player that made you mesmerized whenever he was on the ball.
Eden Hazard’s love and passion for football was inevitable even before he was born. Football has pretty much been glued to Hazard’s family background and upbringing. His parents were active football players. He’s the oldest of four brothers and all of them are football players.
Eden Hazard started playing football at the age of 4. As he started growing up, Little Eden was just too good for his age. With gifted abilities which was showing on his foot, he caught the eyes of few scouts from Lille in a local tournament. Then Eden Hazard moved to France to continue his development. Lille was a right place for the development of the teen. After debuting for Lille first-team, his assured performances impressed the club. With time, he only began to flourish more and more. He was tearing apart France. With the exploits of Young Eden Hazard, Lille won the double with Ligue 1 and Coupe de France. He was named Ligue 1 Player of the year for the season, at only 20 years old. Lille failed to retain the title the following season but it was Eden Hazard’s individual best season statistically up to that point of his career. He scored 38 goals and assists in 38 games. Outstanding Eden was named the Player of the Year again that season.
Most interesting part of Eden’s time at Lille was perhaps, his farewell game. His teammate at Lille, Rio Mavuba about what happened: “We decided to go have a little drink. A little drink that dragged on somewhat. The following morning, Eden was still drunk. That evening against Nancy, not even with 30 minutes played, Eden had already bagged a hat-trick. We all looked at each other and told ourselves this guy was the real deal. ”
It was only natural that everyone wanted to have a piece of Hazard. There was admiration from Zinedine Zidane who recommended Real Madrid to sign him. Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, the Manchester clubs and many were eyeing him but then reigning champions Chelsea were able to sign Eden Hazard. Eden Hazard didn’t take his time to settle in. On his first league game, he provided an assist and won a penalty against Wigan Athletic. Hazard’s glittering Chelsea career took off with a remarkable debut season. He fit into the team like a glove. His own talents and capabilities aside, he linked-up with his new teammates well. Notably, Hazard’s partnership with Juan Mata was irresistible. The pair together was wreaking havoc and terrorizing the defence lines. They loved playing together as much as The Bridge loved watching them play together. All-in-all, Eden Hazard was proving to be an important addition to The Blues, who secured a 3rd-placed finish and a Europa League trophy. 21-year old Eden Hazard played 62 games in total and was involved in 32 goals; scoring 13 and assisting 19. The numbers really spoke for themselves. Hazard was named in PFA Team of the Year in his first season.
Eden Hazard, who arrived as a hot prospect, was making a name for himself as time passed, with jaw-dropping performances that earned him Chelsea Number 10 jersey. He kept contributing to the team significantly. He scored spectacular goals, he created chances, he made plays for his team, he played everywhere across the forward line, he was an X factor. He was the driving force of the team. And he did all of these while producing magic. He was a joy to watch. With his dribbling ability and burst of speed, he was running riot and terrified the defences. He could beat any man. And… he made it look so easy. He was effortless and the world was at his feet. More importantly, he wasn’t only a world class player. He was a Blue. Eden Hazard was one of Chelsea’s very own. Stamford Bridge became the Garden of Eden. He was the apple of their eyes at Cobham.
In 2018/19, which was Eden Hazard’s 7th season for The Blues, he came from a remarkable World Cup campaign for Belgium and started the season amazingly for Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea. Stunning performances while maintaining consistency kept the Chelsea fans excited. But one thing about Eden was hurting the Chelsea fans. It was the possibility of him leaving at the end of the season due to him dropping hints and Real Madrid having interest in landing him. However, Hazard didn’t let this business distract him whenever he put on the Chelsea shirt. Chelsea didn’t quite have a league season that good, maintaining a 3rd-placed finish, just barely. But Eden Hazard that season? Finesse. Hazard was his team’s top scorer in the league, with 16 goals. He was also Premier League’s top assist-provider with 15 assists. Bringing up his stats of 21 goals and 17 assists that season wouldn’t do enough justice to his name. He was much more than these goals and assists who had huge impact on the pitch. Before eventually moving to Real Madrid at the summer of 2019, Eden Hazard’s final game for Chelsea came as the final of Europa League in Baku, against rivals Arsenal. Eden was tremendous that game. He was decisive with 2 goals and an assist. His performance played pivotal role in helping Chelsea win the Europa League trophy and it was a fitting end for the Prince of The Bridge.
There are so many things to talk about from Eden Hazard’s time at Chelsea. There were few poor runs of form and struggles. But quite less compared to the beautiful memories that have been created. Instantly, you’d remember Eden Hazard Show that night in Baku. That was amazing but there are plenty to point out. His solo effort for a brilliant goal against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup 18/19 is up there as one of his career-best goals. Hazard produced a decisive performance in the 2017/18 FA Cup final winning a penalty which he scored. Winning FA Cup was a perfect way to mark his 300th Chelsea appearance. An equalizer against Tottenham to give Leicester City the Premier League title shattering Spurs’ hopes was another lovely memory from Hazard’s Chelsea career. Hazard’s solo goal against Arsenal in 15/16 Premier League, leaving Coquelin in a spin as he broke through the Gunners backline was a memorable sight. He produced such magical moments and performances quite regularly in his 7 years at Chelsea which he should be proud of. He was an unreal player who helped the team achieve enormously. 2 Premier League titles; in 2014/15 and 2016/17 respectively. One League Cup. One FA Cup and 2 Europa League trophies. These trophies aren’t enough to define Eden Hazard’s Chelsea career which was nothing short of splendid. He was a stand-out individual who remains a Chelsea Great for his excellence. Hazard has been rewarded with multiple personal recognitions. Notably, he has been named Chelsea Player of the Year 4 times, PFA Player of the Year in 2015, Premier League Player of the Season in 2015. He has been named PFA Premier League of the Year 4 times. During his tenure in England, Eden Hazard climbed to the stardom as one of the best in the world. He made his marks to be remembered in Chelsea history as a legend for his services. Hazard did move to pursue a dream of playing for Real Madrid but it doesn’t need to be said that he will always remain in the heart of Chelsea supporters. Anyone looking back to it will be in awe of Eden Hazard that peaked at Chelsea.
Eden Hazard is a player to celebrate for Belgium. He’s the country’s pride and unquestionably a Belgian football legend. Eden Hazard’s best time representing Belgium was the 2018 World Cup, with no doubt. Belgium lost the semi-final match against France after a close contest and defeated England for a 3rd place. It was a praiseworthy campaign for Eden Hazard and his team Belgium. Hazard got the Silver Ball for his effortless display of beauty throughout the World Cup.
Eden Hazard joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, leaving Stamford Bridge after 7 years. There were happiness and joy surrounding him because of the player’s stature. He is in fact Real Madrid’s most expensive player of all-time. There were high expectations from him to fill the voids in Real Madrid frontline who were in need of attackers to step up. But Eden Hazard arrived that summer somewhat unfit and overweight. Due to his fitness issues, Hazard couldn’t replicate even half of his Chelsea performances for Real Madrid on his first few appearances. But still there were bits and pieces of him impacting the team’s play in Real Madrid’s attack despite not contributing much directly. Unfortunately, Hazard suffered an ankle injury against PSG after a rash challenge from Thomas Meunier. Since then, Hazard has kept on falling victim to injuries on multiple occasions. He has struggled with fitness and injury issues which made his miss a lot of games in the 2 and a half year he has been spending in Los Blancos. Real Madrid did win Supercopa de España and La Liga but Eden Hazard hasn’t made much contribution. It hasn’t gone according to the plan at all. A lot can be blamed upon for Hazard’s miserable situation starting from his bad luck, fitness issues, rough fouls, lack of enthusiasm in training and not working more on his fitness. In his whole career, there have been some managers and teammates always saying that one of Hazard’s biggest flaws and setbacks is his laziness. It’s beginning to bite him where it hurts. He has been so lazy that he hasn’t been working to better his fitness. There are questions regarding his work ethic too. Although Hazard isn’t injured at the moment, there are very little hopes about him turning around his Real Madrid career. Even when he’s fit to play, It’s not that Hazardous Hazard anymore. Hazard that defenders feared is now scared of taking on his man. He is limiting his own style of play to avoid fouls. Hesitant Eden fails to impact the game in ways he could. Hence, the overall drop-in performance doesn’t help him. He’s out of Ancelotti’s plans with a golden missile that Vinícius Jr. making the left-wing position of Madrid his own. Other wingers Marco Asensio and Rodygo have been contributing to Real Madrid’s ongoing season too which pulls Eden Hazard out of the picture.
It’s very unlikely for Eden Hazard to turn his situation around, at least at Real Madrid. With Hazard turning 31 earlier this month, the age factor is already there. Hazard still gets Belgium call-ups and leads the team. But there, Hazard isn’t the same player. The matter of Eden Hazard returning to his own calibre of greatness is probably never happening. But there are his fans all over the world who want him to get back to being the Eden Hazard that made people adore him.
Update: He has scored the winner in the Copa Del Rey for Real Madrid yesterday to take them to the quarter finals. Is the Old Hazard back? Well time will tell. He is a player the author of this story and I love a lot and hope he reaches his old levels again
Article Written by Fahad Kamal
Edited And Updated by Ayan Abdullah
