Chelsea players Costa and Cesc may get the plaudits but don’t forget Hazard

Last season, Eden Hazard was THE man for Chelsea.

When he delivered, the Blues won. When he failed, so did they.

This term, things may be very different at Stamford Bridge, but despite the arrivals of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, Hazard is just as vital as ever.

Jose Mourinho may have pointed to the lack of work rate from the Belgian at times last season – and he was certainly at fault for failing to track back on more than one occasion leading to a goal for the opposition, but in terms of his attacking play, the Belgian is one of the best in the world.

Asking such a young player to deliver a Premier League title to Stamford Bridge essentially on his own, whilst Chelsea’s rivals had the likes of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Luis Saurez was a huge ask, but he very nearly did it.

This term things are very different at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have a world class forward who can score goals. They also have a couple of other decent strikers in reserve. They have a midfielder who can provide the assists the forwards need. They have a rock solid defence (again) and look like winners.

All of this has helped Hazard not only provide a more consistent display in games, but it has also alleviated the pressure on him to be the one the fans and Jose Mourinho look to when the chips are down.

Most people would say that the title is on the way to Stamford Bridge this season and obviously both Costa and Cesc have been huge parts of that – but think back to the really big moments in the big games this season. Hazard has been the difference.

Hazard has been the one who made the pass, won the penalty or free kick and who bedazzled the defences.

Against Manchester City when Costa was – for the only time this season – comprehensively outplayed, Hazard was the key. Against Manchester United, Hazard unlocked the defence. Against Arsenal, Hazard won and scored the penalty.

Hazard is 23 years old. Think back to both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at 23 years old.

Now both are superhuman and literally look like they are from another planet, but at 23 years of age, they were world class – but not to the extent they are now.

Ronaldo especially had all the hallmarks of a world class player but needed to get that consistency in his game.

He is now the Ballon d’Or holder again and scores more than a goal a game for Real Madrid. He won his first Ballon d’or at 23 and Messi one year younger at 22. Hazard has noted this and wants to emulate their successes – but Ronaldo at United in 2008 was not too much better than Hazard now.

Whilst it may have initially looked like the form of Costa and Cesc may well take the plaudits away from Hazard, it may actually turn out that it spreads the creative burden and actually allows him to develop as a player and go from being very good to the very best.

Chelsea fans. Do you think that Hazard is better than ever this season? How impressive can he be? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.