According to a new study by Football Observatory of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), Chelsea FC’s Eden Hazard has been rated as the second most expensive player in the world behind Lionel Messi. The young Belgian’s star has been on the rise since he made the move to Chelsea and this is yet another sign of the youngster’s growth and potential.
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Hazard was recognized this season as the best player in the Premier League and was given a career’s worth of awards in just one season. After a tremendous campain in which he lead Cheslea FC to a Premier League and League Cup title, Eden Hazard was chosen as the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, Chelsea Player of the Year, Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year, and was of course named to the PFA Team of the Year.
Many believe that Hazard is just outside the conversation for the best players in the world alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but he is certainly among the top five in that regard. Along with other marquee players such as Neymar, Hazard is beginning to truly impose himself on the world of club and international football. He has always been lauded as an extraordinary talent but he now has the silverware and the awards to begin truly upholding that reputation.
When he first came to Chelsea FC Hazard was a talented winger who was capable of magic on a pitch but was lacking in other areas. His mentality and work rate was lacking and it impacted the rest of his game. Since Jose Mourinho arrived at Chelsea things have taken an upward swing for the Belgian.
From competing in the Europa League and never seriously challenging for the league title to winning the Premier League and coming to within a half of the Champions League Final. Jose Mourinho has brought out the best in Hazard and the list above truly reflects that rise.
Hazard’s ranking above players such as Ronaldo or Sergio Aguero, both goalscoring machines, is most likely due to the combination of age and current ability. He carried the Chelsea team to their domestic double and has grown in to a leader on the team despite his young age.
Neymar is the only serious challenger to Hazard in the top 10 and in the same age range but he has the luxury of playing alongside the best player in the world in Messi and one of the most lethal strikers in Luis Suarez. Perhaps in a year or so we can say the same about Eden Hazard’s teammates and the luxury they have in playing with the young Belgian.
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