One remarkable stat that emerged from Hazard’s performance was the fact that having completed three of his seven take ons during the ninety minutes, he has now completed more take-ons in the Premier League this season (135) than he completed in the entirety of last season (132).
As if the number wasn’t impressive enough already, it means Hazard has broken his own record for most completed take ons in a Premier League season, and has beaten his man 92 times more often than any other Premier League player over the past two season. Eden, we salute you!
While he dazzles with his feet, Hazard has not necessarily been as efficient or ruthless for Chelsea in front of goal this season, registering fewer goals per 90 that last term.
That said, the former Lille forward has taken fewer shots and less of the goalscoring brunt at Stamford Bridge as the emergence of Diego Costa has made Hazard’s goal-getting attributes less essential this season.While there’s no doubt that Hazard is one of the top 3 players in the league, and has been ever since he arrived in Fulham Broadway, some feel that there is a gap between the Belgian and the elite players such as Robben, Ribery, Ronaldo and Messi which he can bridge in time.
The current PFA young player of the year is still just 24 and despite reports linking him with a move to PSG in the summer, seems thoroughly settled at Chelsea for the foreseeable future. With the seeds of a potential dynasty being planted at the club, it could give Mr Hazard just the platform he requires to beat this new record, and a few more too.
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