Chelsea star Eden Hazard close to breaking through his plateau
By Travis Tyler
There has always been a sense that Chelsea star Eden Hazard has another level to reach. Based on comments from others, he may be close.
Eden Hazard has always had lofty ambitions. He has spoken previously about wanting to win the Champions League and the Ballon D’Or. Like every player in the world, he wants to lift the World Cup. Hazard wants to be remembered forever as one of the best.
But there has also been a sense for years that Hazard has more to give. He has been a fantastic and amazing player for Chelsea, but he has been largely the same since 2014/2015. There is a feeling that he has another level he can reach, but it was unknown when (if ever) he would break through his plateau and onto the next level.
Recently, some close to him have started to bang the drum for Hazard. Cesc Fabregas, working as a pundit this summer, believes that Hazard can become one of the greatest Chelsea players ever, provided he stays with the Blues. One of the Belgium assistant managers, Graeme Jones, took it a step further. He compared Hazard to Lionel Messi, saying that both can win a game on their own through sheer force of will.
Hazard is not Messi yet. Nor is he Cristiano Ronaldo. He may or may not be on the same level as Neymar. But there is a feeling this summer that something is different about Hazard. He seems more mature, more consistent, more capable. He is captaining what may be the best team in the World Cup based on form. But he is even standing out among all that greatness.
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Hazard is 27 and will turn 28 in January. He is just entering his peak. It is now or never for him to reach whatever potential he can reach. And luckily for Chelsea, all signs are pointing towards him doing so.
Belgium came into the World Cup as underdogs at worst and dark horses at best. But then they started playing. And based on form, they look like the most dangerous team in the tournament. They have to face another good team to be sure, but right now they look capable of making a run. Hazard has been key to that form.
If Hazard can continue what he has been doing at the World Cup, he could achieve great things. If he can bring that back to Chelsea, he can pull the team through whatever tough times are on the horizon. And as Messi and Ronaldo age and start to fall more and more into the shadows, Hazard is just starting to shine.
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Hazard is not on the level of the greatest of all time or the best of all time yet. But by the end of the summer, he might be within touching distance. By the end of the season, he may be there. Hazard is showing all the signs of breaking through onto his next level after so many years of waiting. And the world will be watching to see what the Belgian can do.