Eden Hazard Wins PFA Player of the Year

Congrats Eden Hazard!

Only 24 years old, already a rising star in world football, and massively underrated in FIFA, Hazard has been rewarded for the best season of his career so far. Chelsea have been the best team in the Premier League this year for a number of reasons, and Hazard is one of them providing the inspiration for Chelsea’s offense.

He has created the most chances in the league with 88 and is among the most fouled players in the world. All credit to Hazard for staying durable and consistent throughout the season, and for propelling the Blues to what should be their first Premier League title in 5 years.

It’s also the first time a Chelsea player has won the Player of the Year award since John Terry won it in the 2004-05 season. As attacking players have become more important over the course of time, it’s very rare to see a defensive player or goalkeeper win or even get nominated for Player of the Year. However, Terry fully deserved to be on the shortlist this year for being Chelsea’s best defender even at the ripe old age of 34. He was included on the PFA Team of the Year, as Chelsea dominated by taking up 6 of a possible 11  roster spots.

The last three Player of the Year winners have followed a trend of being sold to another team with Van Persie, Bale, and Suarez all departing their respective clubs. With growing transfer rumours to Real Madrid and club president Zinedine Zidane openly praising the Belgian, it was thought that he would follow the path of the aforementioned three. However, in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Hazard has revealed that he is going nowhere:

"Champions League is difficult… We play against a big team, but one day I hope I can win this trophy as it is the best. All the big players have won the Champions League and I hope I can bring, like Didier [Drogba] did, the Champions League to Stamford Bridge."

Ahead of today’s scoreless draw against Arsenal, Hazard insisted that he was happy playing at Chelsea and that he hopes to win as many trophies as possible while here. From the above quote, he is determined to win the Champions League above all else and that while he doesn’t regard the importance of individual accolades over team success, he wishes to be considered worthy of the likes of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Messi, Ronaldo they are on another planet, but yeah why not? I try to be one of the best, so if I can be why not?If I train every day, if I take pleasure every day, why not? I can reach another level.(I’m) still young, but at 24 Messi had won two Ballon D’Or awards already. But I am still young and I can improve more."

Mourinho is equally passionate about keeping Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge amidst growing transfer rumours, calling his price at “£100m each leg, because he’s very young” (h/t Daily Mail). Not to mention the fact that he’s under contract until 2020, meaning that he’s already a prized asset.

Here’s a look at his £100m legs in action:

https://instagram.com/p/1vFUkgsyL0/

While it’s possible a Ballon d’Or nomination may be on the horizon, Eden Hazard’s dedication to and passion for being a Blue will surely be enough to get him a club banner at the Bridge to join the likes of Drogba and Lampard. And unlike Arsenal fans, if he ever does come back to the Bridge wearing another team’s colours, you can guarantee that he’ll receive a standing ovation.

Still loved: Drogba is adored at Stamford Bridge | From The Daily Mail