Unanimously PFA Player of the Year
Personal information
Full name: Eden Michael Hazard
Date of birth: 7 January 1991
Age: 24
Place of birth: La Louviere, Belgium
Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position: Attacking midfielder/Winger
Club information
Current team: Chelsea
Number: 10
Youth career
1995–2003 Royal Stade Brainois
2003–2005 Tubize
2005–2007 Lille
Senior career
2007–2012 Lille 194 Appearances, 50 goals
2012– Chelsea 156 Appearances, 48 goals
National team
2006 Belgium U15 5 Appearances, 1 goal
2006 Belgium U16 4 Appearances, 2 goals
2006–2008 Belgium U17 17 Appearances, 2 goals
2007–2009 Belgium U19 11 Appearances, 6 goals
2008– Belgium 56 Appearances, 7 goals
Eden Hazard has gone from strength to strength under Jose Mourinho and is on his way to becoming a Chelsea legend. From start to finish he has been a standout player at Chelsea in a team full of individuals that have lit up the Premier League and currently sit at its summit. John Terry, Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Branislav Ivanovic, Thibaut Courtois and the rest have all made hugely impressive contributions to the campaign though even they would concede the limelight to the magical Belgian. When the form of his teammates dipped in the New Year, Hazard continued to carry the torch and he maintained his ludicrously high standards. He gets a 9.9/10. Quite simply, Hazard has been sensational. Often it has been his direct influence that has pulled Chelsea through some tight games; it is safe to say that their lead at the top of the table would not be nearly so commanding had Hazard not been involved. Despite the goals, assists, nonchalant penalties and mesmeric dribbling, perhaps his most impressive aspect is that he refuses to rest on his laurels and continues to improve. And the scary thing is that he can still get even better: His room for improvement is the only thing that prevents him from getting the 10/10 mark that he probably deserves.
Without a shadow of a doubt Hazard deserves the Player of the Season award. He has not only been the most consistent performer in the division through the season, he has also done so operating at a level higher than any of his rivals. From an aesthetic point of view, even the most grudging of rival fans would have to admit that Hazard is a joy to watch and his lack of histrionics, simulation and diva pretensions are a refreshing tonic in this era of cynicism, posturing and gamesmanship. Having destroyed a multitude of defences this season, Hazard will naturally be targeted even further with specific tactics such as rotational fouls being employed to try and stop him further away from goal. Yet his impeccable temperament, ability to adapt and sheer joy of the game should see him shrug off any unwanted attentions and wriggle out of any well-laid plans.
In February, Hazard signed a new five-and-a-half year contract that will tie him to the club until the summer of 2020, and there currently seems to be no reason why he will not still be at Stamford Bridge at that time. With the likes of Real Madrid eyeing the Premier League’s PFA Player of the Season, Mourinho will be desperate to keep hold of his most prized asset. Presently, Chelsea are on an upward trajectory with a very good squad and a world-class manager at the helm. With that in mind and with his own form soaring ever higher, it is clear why he signed that contract extension. With Frank Lampard gone, Didier Drogba on his last legs and John Terry not able to carry on forever, Hazard is in the vanguard for the next generation of Chelsea legends. There is every chance that he will stay and attain that status.
As far as creative attackers are concerned, he is currently the best in the league. There have been some decent rivals in the shape of Alexis Sanchez, David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Juan Mata as well. However, none have had quite the impact of Hazard. Just as happy to create goals as score them; perhaps one of the most efficient finishers around and somebody that can keep hold of the ball in the manner of a traditional target man and relieve the pressure on his teammates when required. Hazard also draws so many fouls from the opposition which has enabled others in the side to capitalise from the resulting set piece. It is amazing to think the young Belgian can only get better. In each of his three seasons to date in English football, he has seen his stock rise as his game has developed and at just 24, he is yet to reach his peak as an outfield player. As mentioned earlier, he has room for improvement especially when it concerns hitting the back of the net and if he hones that part of his game to the level of which he is capable then he can genuinely start being talked about as one of the very best players in the world alongside the perennial totems of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The last player to win the PFA Player of the Year award and lift the Premier League title was Ryan Giggs in 2009. Hazard won Young Player of the Year last season and this year has seen a natural evolution to his game. Just like in France, in fact, where in 2009 and 2010 he won Young Player of the Year, and followed that up with the Player of the Year award in 2011 and 2012.The Chelsea winger has been the best player from the best team this season and it’s no surprise as to why he has been named Player of the Season.
