Eden Hazard, the Chelsea FC number 10 and on many occasions the club’s messiah has become one of the best players in the Premier League and arguably the world in the past few seasons. The £32million acquisition from LOSC Lille arrived after a Champions League-winning campaign and has set the Premier League on fire with his scintillating performances. He has displayed magical trickery, an excellent balance on the ball and a trademark drastic change of pace.
In his third season at Stamford Bridge, he already seems to be establishing himself as a Blues great adored by the fans, the manager and the management. He is one of those players who maintains himself on and off the pitch with a certain maturity and restriction. He talks little as his actions often do the talking for him.
With his title as the most fouled player in the Premier League, it is evident that many defenders believe that the only way to stop him is to take him to ground. Yet, you don’t see Hazard pushing (or chest bumping) any opponent and he doesn’t let the situation get the best of him either. He stands up with a smile and quickly taps the ball to continue the game. Such characters are hard to find in today’s contemporary world of football.
With his winning goal against Arsenal last weekend, Hazard has now hit the back of the net 50 times for Chelsea. On this occasion, here are the top 10 goals scored by the Belgian maestro so far in a blue shirt.
Sorry, the FA have credited the goal as an Arsenal own goal. Still, here’s the list anyway.
Next: No. 10 - Maribor
10. MK Maribor (21st October 2014)
Chelsea thrashed Champions League minnows MK Maribor in a game which ended 6-0 in favor of the home side.
Out of the 6, Eden Hazard scored two goals and the one above is memorable as it displays ball control on a epic level along with composure and accuracy. Willian plays an overhead pass which takes out the whole Maribor high line defense.
The Chelsea number 10 controls the ball with an exquisite first touch, wrong foots the defender and sends the ball home. The opponent twirls around in confusion leaving Hazard enough space to power a right-footed strike curling into the far side of the net.
Next: No. 9 - Sunderland
9. Sunderland (4th December 2013)
This fixture against Sunderland was a goal fest. Chelsea came away with the victory as they defeated the Black Cats 4-3 at the Stadium of Light.
This can be seen as a classic Hazard goal where a quick one-two is followed by an emphatic finish. Hazard makes a short pass to Frank Lampard. The Englishman, running onto the ball towards the byline, responds with a delicious back pass that falls directly into Hazard’s path. The Belgian takes the ball in his stride and skips past several defenders with a series of fake shots and feints. He then blasts the ball past the goalkeeper to give Chelsea a 3-2 lead.
By the way, we miss you Frank.
Next: No. 8 - Sunderland
8. Sunderland (4th December 2013)
As I said, this fixture was full of goals,. So here is another fantastic goal by Chelsea’s magical number 10 who always steps up to the occasion.
In this goal, Hazard, rather than passing to his team mate who makes an overlapping run, uses him as a disguise. The Belgian picks the ball up on the nearside and uses his marauding full-back as a decoy to open up more space for himself as the Sunderland defender is pushed back to block the pass. That little gap is all that Hazard needs to do the rest as he unleashes a right-footed strike across the goalkeeper and into the bottom right corner.
Next: No. 7 - Manchester United
7. Manchester United (18th April 2015)
The late season match against Manchester United was one of the most important fixtures that propelled Chelsea to Premier League glory in the 2014/15 season.
The match ended with a marginal scoreline of 1-0 in favor of Chelsea with Hazard making all the difference. Fabregas is just able to push the ball towards Oscar, who then brilliantly flicks the ball through a back pass towards Hazard.
Antonio Valencia tried to match the Belgian but finally gave up and just stood and gasped at the sheer brilliance as Hazard slotted the ball through the keeper’s legs giving Chelsea the lead.
A great goal that threw back to Chelsea’s form during the first half of the season: free-flowing, attractive football.
Next: No. 6 - Liverpool
6. Liverpool (21st April 2013)
Clashes with the Reds at the Bridge are always exciting and with the brilliant Belgian in the ranks of Chelsea, the game just gets elevated to another level.
In this long range effort Hazard gives the Liverpool goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, absolutely no chance as the ball curves its way slicing through the air and into the back of the net. As Oscar carried Chelsea forward on the counter, Mamadou Sakho nicks the ball off the Brazilian’s feet.
However, the defender’s intervention was more beneficial for the Blues as the ball fell on a golden platter for Hazard. The Belgian winger was very happy to oblige and curled it first time into the top corner.
Next: No. 5 - Sparta Prague
5. Sparta Prague (21st February 2013)
Chelsea unfortunately failed to make it through the Champions League group stages despite winning the competition in the previous season. Consequently, they took part in what was an ultimately successful Europa League campaign with Hazard demonstrating all the confidence and desire that he would have for the top European teams.
In this goal, the winger almost tears the net apart with a thunderous strike to equalize in the last minute of the match. The Chelsea talisman neatly cuts the Prague defense through a swift and sudden turn of the body and then lashes the ball past the goalkeeper.
Frankly, that ball was struck so well that the goalkeeper may have come away with a broken wrist if he had managed to get to it!
This injury time leveller would in fact hand the Blues a 2-1 aggregate victory in this Round of 32 fixture.
Next: No. 4 - Stoke City
4. Stoke City (12th January 2013)
Away trips to Stoke City are said to be one of the toughest fixtures in the Premier League, but Eden Hazard seems to enjoy and relish the challenge.
Hazard is not known for long range efforts but more for his trickery and neat goals. In this he showcases the fact that he can, at times, pull out something unexpected from his locker. With the ball some 35 yards out from goal, the Belgian weighs up his options and decides that none of them are worth exploiting. Hazard then takes it a few yards forward and to his left before unleashing a rocket from his left foot.
The accuracy is such that Asmir Begovic couldn’t reach the ball even after a full stretch. Begovic must be relieved to be on the same side as Hazard after that.
Next: No. 3 - Manchester United
3. Manchester United (10th March 2013)
Personally, goals such as these are my favorites. And Hazard displays his masterful skills yet again against the Red Devils.
Although Chelsea lost this match, Hazard definitely left his mark with this superb goal. From an almost standstill position he wraps his foot elegantly around the ball which takes it past one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. It is not everyday that you see David De Gea just standing hopelessly and looking while the ball goes past him into the net.
The bend on that ball is just silly really.
Next: No. 2 - Aston Villa
2. Aston Villa (23rd December 2012)
Chelsea thumped Aston Villa 8-0 in this fixture with the Blue Belgian scoring absolute stunner.
Similarly to previous occasions, he passed the ball to Oscar for a quick one-two which simply was a prelude to another showcase of his graceful and inch-perfect ball control. Several Villa players are bamboozled by the Belgian’s weaving as he passes by them (like Lionel Messi). He finishes off the great move by thrashing the ball into the net to add his name to the already huge list on the scoreline.
This was during his first season at Stamford Bridge and did nothing but cement his reputation as one of the most promising players in world football.
Next: No. 1 - Barcelona
1. Barcelona (29th July 2015)
Hazard’s best goal (subjectively, of course) came in a match which unfortunately doesn’t really count. Nevertheless, it deserves its spot at the top of this list. The scene is Washington DC and a friendly against Barcelona in the International Champions Cup (I still don’t know what that is) during the pre-season of 2015/16.
In a goal that does nothing but reinforce some of those comparisons to Messi, Hazard runs through the Barcelona defence. The Belgian dribbles with the ball while using his low center of gravity to maintain his balance. He also employs his underrated strength successfully in preventing the Catalans from bringing him down.
After beating four Barcelona defenders, Hazard reaches the inside of the penalty box and carefully places the ball into the lower corner of the net giving Chelsea the lead. Messi would surely be impressed by this.
Now it’s over to you guys. Don’t agree with the list? What are your favorite Hazard goals which you think should be here? Let us know in the comments below!
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