In Hazard, Chelsea made the best signing

Despite Chelsea losing Ivorian talisman Didier Drogba at the end of last season, the London club made the signing of the summer in Eden Hazard.

Friday, August 24, 2012
Joseph Kamugisha

Despite Chelsea losing Ivorian talisman Didier Drogba at the end of last season, the London club made the signing of the summer in Eden Hazard.Hazard signed from Lille last season for an estimated 32 million Pounds, has since been involved in all the Blues games (including preseason), and has performed very well. Yet we are yet to see the best of him as it is still early.The Belgian  international  showed glimpses of his amazing skills against a star-studied Manchester City in the Community Shield. Though Chelsea were reduced to 10 men before half time, and eventually lost the game, Hazard inspired Chelsea to score twice and push the Citizens to the final whistle.It is not easy to go a man down when playing a team of the calibre of Man City and manage to stage a challenge, but the Chelsea did it even if they came short.Hazard is so quick and technically gifted; he is the type of player every football club would need to sign. He dribbles well; he can pass the ball very well and has an immense shooting power.Drogba had a remarkable contribution to the blues’ success and led them to Champions League triumph last season. The Ivory Coast captain made heroics at Chelsea as he scored a late equaliser against Bayern Munich and netted the winning penalty to help his team to their first ever Champions League trophy. Though it is still early to pass verdict on Hazard with Chelsea, the midfielder has a bright future ahead of him in the toughest league in the world based on his performances so far.He was the key man when Chelsea beat a resurgent Wigan side at JJB stadium last weekend. Chelsea scored two quick goals in the opening five minutes to claim victory in their opening fixture of 2012-2013 Premier League season away from home.The 23-year old is a multipurpose player, who can play in the attack or midfield. Some times can be deployed as a centre forward as already seen in some French league 1 games with Lille.He gives Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo a good choice when planning the formation to deploy. He has made Chelsea look comfortable with the 4-3-3 formation. All departments look stable and ready to produce results.Hazard, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata seem to be preferred in hunt for goals. The three have combined well so far and we are yet to see more from them.Perhaps Chelsea will have to sign a formidable centre forward to support Torres or Hazard can slot in that position with the likes of Daniel Sturridge or Brazilian youngstar Oscar signed from Internacional of Brazil coming into the wide midfield positions. Another hot prospect in the Blues attacking side is the Germany international Marko Marin signed from Werder Bremen this summer. Marin has got pace and skill; he is the type of player, who can create good scoring chances for strikers, he knows how to eliminate defenders and is an important addition to Chelsea’s attacking prospect.With the likes of Ramirez, Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard performing well, and a water-tight defence that has David Luiz, John Terry, Banislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole, Chelsea should be among the title favourites.