Eden Hazard
From TheChels.info - The Chelsea Football Club Wiki
| Eden Hazard | |
| |
| Full Name | Eden Hazard |
| Date of Birth | 7 January 1991 |
| Place of Birth | La Louvière, Belgium |
| Position | Attacking midfielder Winger |
| Chelsea career | 2012 – 2019 |
| Debut | 12 August 2012 |
| Games (goals) | 352 (110) |
| Other clubs | Lille Real Madrid |
Eden Hazard (born 7 January 1991 in La Louvière, Belgium) is a former Belgian international who played for Chelsea from 2012 until 2019. He was one of the most sought after young players in Europe prior to joining the club, he played primarily as an attacking midfielder or winger, and was known for his pace and technical ability. [1]
Contents |
Before Chelsea
Early life
Hazard was born to footballing parents in the Belgian city of La Louvière. He was raised in Braine-le-Comte, a small town in the Wallonia region, and began his career playing for local clubs Royal Stade Brainois and Tubize. It was at the latter that he was spotted by a scout from Lille while playing in a local tournament. Following talks with his father, who believed that the superior facilities at the nearby French club would best suit Eden's development, the youngster joined Lille on a youth contract.
Lille
Having joined Lille in 2005, Hazard signed his first professional contract on 28 May 2007, agreeing a three year deal. He subsequently played for Lille's Under-18 and reserve sides, before appearing as a substitute in a senior friendly match against Bruges on 14 November 2007. Ten days later he made his professional debut in a match against Nancy as a late substitute. Hazard was permanently promoted to the senior squad prior to the 2008-09 season, and made a total of 35 appearances; many of which were as a substitute. Still aged just 18, he was named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year at the end of the season, having helped his side to fifth place and qualification for the Europa League.
Hazard was the subject of media speculation linking him with a move to various major European clubs prior to 2009-10, but Lille chairman Michel Seydoux stated that the Belgian youngster would definitely remain at the French side for at least another season. Having established himself in the side at the end of the previous season, Hazard proved to be a key player for Lille over the course of the campaign, making 52 appearances in all competitions and contributing 10 goals and 9 assists as he was named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
At the beginning of 2010-11 Hazard suffered his first significant loss of form, putting in a series of inconsistent performances over the first couple of months of the season. The slump also cost him his place in the Belgian national side and he was criticised by Belgium manager Georges Leekens, though he was defended by Lille manager Rudi Garcia who pointed out that the player was still just 19. Hazard's form improved over the course of the season, and he eventually helped his club to a league and cup double; the first time the club had achieved the feat since 1946. It was also the first time they had won either honour since the 1950s. Hazard's individual contribution was recognised when he was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year, becoming the youngest player ever to win the award.
Though Lille failed to defend either title during the 2011-12 season, Hazard's individual contribution continued to grow. He scored 22 goals and provided 16 assists over the course of the season, and was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Having already announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, he scored his first professional hat-trick in his final match for Lille; a 4-1 win against Nancy, the team against which he had made his competitive senior debut.
Transfer to Chelsea
Chelsea had been regularly linked with a move for Hazard over previous months, along with other major European clubs who had scouted the youngster extensively, but with the Blues' disappointing league form during the 2011-12 season increasing the likelihood that they would miss out on Champions League qualification as the season drew to a close, the media reported that Hazard had narrowed his options down to the two major Manchester clubs, with the opportunity to play in Europe's premier competition seen as a pre-requisite. [2]
However after Chelsea won the 2012 UEFA Champions League they secured entry into the following season's tournament, and reports emerged from France that Hazard was once again considering a move to Stamford Bridge. [3] On 28 May 2012 Hazard announced on Twitter that he would be signing for the "Champions League winner". [4] Joining for a reported fee of £32 million, the signing was confirmed by Chelsea on 4 June after the Belgian completed his medical. [5]
Chelsea career
Upon signing Hazard stated "It's a dream come true for me. I can't wait to get started and for the season to start so I can meet my new team-mates, the supporters and all the people who are involved. I want to play as many games as possible, score as many goals as possible and win a place in the hearts of the supporters." He commented that his decision to move to Stamford Bridge was due to a variety of factors, including the opportunity to live in London, to be part of a young, emerging Chelsea side, and to play for a club which continued to win silverware after years of success: "Ultimately, for a player it's all about winning things; I want to win as many trophies as possible, which is another reason why I came here as Chelsea have been winning things for a long time now, and I hope to win many more during my time here." [6] Hazard also revealed that former Chelsea player Joe Cole – a team-mate at Lille – had recommended a move to Chelsea: "I spoke to Joe Cole and what he said above all was that Chelsea was the right club for me. As somebody who loves the club himself, he said he could really see me in the shirt, so when I see him next I'll tell him he was right." [7]
2012-13
Having featured in pre-season, including a subdued performance in the Community Shield against Manchester City, Hazard made an immediate impact in his first Premier League appearance at Wigan Athletic. Following a neat turn on the halfway line to beat his man, the Belgian played in Branislav Ivanović for the opening goal within two minutes, before winning a penalty less than five minutes later, helping his new side to a 2-0 win with a man-of-the-match performance.
2013-14
With Mourinho’s return to the club, Hazard was handed more creative freedom and became the focal point of Chelsea's attack. He delivered consistently impressive performances and finished as the club’s top scorer. Highlights included a stunning hat-trick against Newcastle and several match-winning displays. Chelsea pushed for the Premier League title and reached the Champions League semi-finals but fell short in both competitions. Despite the lack of silverware, Hazard’s contributions were recognized with the PFA Young Player of the Year award and a place in the PFA Team of the Year. It was during this season he began being talked about as one of the Premier League's best players.
2014-15
Hazard was at his peak during the 2014–15 season, leading Chelsea to a dominant title win. He was the creative heartbeat of a team that also lifted the League Cup. Playing in every league match, he scored 14 goals and provided several assists, often deciding games with moments of brilliance. His performances earned him a clean sweep of individual awards, including PFA Players’ Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, and Chelsea's Player of the Season.
2015-16
This season marked a sharp decline in both Chelsea’s and Hazard’s form. After being named the league’s best player, Hazard went over six months without a league goal and often looked short of confidence and fitness. Chelsea’s poor run led to Mourinho’s sacking in December. Under interim manager Guus Hiddink, Hazard slowly regained form and scored four league goals in the final month, including a memorable strike against Tottenham that denied Spurs the title and handed Leicester City the Premier League crown. It was a forgettable campaign overall, but Hazard showed signs of resurgence by the end.
2016-17
Hazard bounced back emphatically under new manager Antonio Conte. The Italian deployed a 3-4-3 formation that maximized Hazard’s freedom on the left wing. He formed a lethal partnership with Diego Costa and Pedro, driving Chelsea to a league-high 93 points and reclaiming the title. Hazard scored key goals throughout the season, including against Manchester City, Arsenal, and a solo effort against Arsenal that was widely regarded as one of the goals of the season. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year again and was awarded Chelsea’s Player of the Season for the third time.
2017-18
In a turbulent season marked by friction between Conte and the club hierarchy, Hazard remained Chelsea’s standout performer. While the team underperformed in the league (finishing 5th), Hazard helped secure an FA Cup triumph, scoring the only goal in the final—a penalty—against Manchester United. He contributed significantly in big matches and was often relied upon to provide moments of individual brilliance. His future at the club became the subject of constant speculation, but his commitment on the pitch never wavered.
2018-19
Hazard’s final season at Chelsea was arguably his most productive in terms of stats. Under Maurizio Sarri’s possession-based system, he flourished as a false nine and left winger, contributing 21 goals and 17 assists in all competitions. He was the Premier League’s top assist provider and led Chelsea to a top-four finish and another Europa League title. In his farewell match, he starred in the Europa League Final, scoring twice and assisting once in a 4–1 win over Arsenal. He confirmed his departure shortly after the match, completing a dream move to Real Madrid. He left Chelsea as one of the club’s all-time greats.
International
Hazard represented Belgium from Under-15 up, including U16, U17 and U19 levels, before making his senior debut at the age of just 17, coming on as a substitute in a match against Luxembourg. At the time he joined Chelsea, at the age of 21, he had made 28 appearances for the senior Belgian side, scoring twice.
Statistics
- See also: List of Eden Hazard goals
| Season | Prem | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 2012-13 | 34 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 62 | 13 |
| 2013-14 | 35 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 49 | 17 |
| 2014-15 | 38 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 19 |
| 2015-16 | 31 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 6 |
| 2016-17 | 36 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 17 |
| 2017-18 | 34 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 17 |
| 2018-19 | 37 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 21 |
| Total | 245 | 85 | 23 | 5 | 25 | 8 | 53 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 352 | 110 |
Statistics accurate as of the end of the 2018-19 season
Honours
Club
- Lille
- Ligue 1: 2010-11
- Coupe de France: 2010-11
- Chelsea
- Premier League: 2014-15, 2016-17
- FA Cup: 2018
- League Cup: 2015
- UEFA Europa League: 2012-13, 2018-19
Individual
- Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2010-11, 2011-12
- Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: 2008-09, 2009-10
- Chelsea Player of the Year: 2013-14, 2014-15
- PFA Young Player of the Year: 2013-14
- PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2014-15
