Three reasons why Eden Hazard is indispensable for Chelsea
Chelsea have begun their Premier League season on a high under new manager Maurizio Sarri with three wins from their first three games. Although the Blues looked bright and creative in their first two matches, they somehow managed to scrape their way past a resolute Newcastle United defence at St. James’s Park.
And Eden Hazard, who currently earns wages in the region of £200,000-a-week, once again spearheaded Chelsea’s attack and has been their talisman up front. After coming on as a substitute in the first two games, he finally started the game against Newcastle and arguably looked like the best player in a blue shirt. While he managed to register two assists in the first two games against Huddersfield Town and Arsenal, he finally got his name on the scoresheet from the spot against the Magpies.
Here are three reasons why Eden Hazard is indispensable for Chelsea.
1. Impact in the attacking third
Although Chelsea have the likes of Alvaro Morata, Willian, Pedro and Olivier Giroud in their ranks, they often lack guile and the edge in Hazard’s absence.
With his exemplary versatility, the Belgian tends to terrify the opposition defence with breath-taking pace and dribbling skills from the flanks. Although he generally prefers to play on the left-wing, he is capable of playing on either side of Sarri’s 4-3-3 formation.
He has a no-nonsense attitude and does not back away from taking on defenders. Not only does he pick out the forwards with his pinpoint crosses but he also has the intelligence and skills to bamboozle defenders and fire drivers, cutting inside from his vicious right foot.
The Belgian has a remarkable footballing brain and is an absolute game-changer. Given the fact that Marcos Alonso is a handy operator down the left, Hazard often tends to shift to the central areas of the park and makes subtle runs past the defenders. He is a livewire in the attacking third and holds the key to linking play among the attackers.
Eden Hazard is Chelsea’s X-factor in the attacking third.
2. Turning the defence into attack
With his blistering pace, Hazard often tracks back and helps out his defenders. A true opportunist on the field, he can capitalize on the smallest mistakes of his opponents. It is not a rare sight to see Hazard latching on to a slightly undercooked pass from his opponent in the other half, turning the defence into an attack in the blink of an eye.
Since the Belgian has an amazing work-rate, he can carry the ball forward from deeper areas of the park. The Belgian maestro rarely seems to run out of gas and he is a deadly counter-attacking threat.
3. Charismatic leadership
There is no one in a Chelsea shirt who can match Eden Hazard’s level of composure. Not only does he bring that X-factor into Chelsea’s attack but he is also the first choice when it comes to wearing the captain’s armband. He clearly has the gravity to dictate the entire tempo of the game.
When Hazard comes on as a substitute, he undoubtedly makes a positive impact on Chelsea’s frame of mind. However, at the same time, he is capable of making a negative impact on the opposition’s game-play as well. As nightmarish as he can possibly be for the defenders, it is the psychological effect of Hazard’s presence on the field that causes many teams to wilt under pressure even before he does something with the ball.
Furthermore, he is always seen barking instructions to the other attackers as far as positioning is concerned. Perhaps the most impressive thing about him is his belief in his abilities.
