Why signing the Belgian represents a huge gamble
It would appear that we have reached the end of one of the most ludicrous transfer sagas in recent history. Eden Hazard wrote on his Twitter page that he was “signing for the Champions League winner.” It is to be assumed he means this years winner and that his chosen destination is Chelsea.
If the reports are to be believed, the Stamford bridge side have beaten the two Manchester clubs to the signing of Hazard for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £32 million pounds.
Now in anybody’s language that is a lot of money for a 21 year old midfielder who has impressed in the French league but failed to produce similar form when it comes to his national side, Belgium. Those who have witnessed Hazard first hand will support the notion that this is a player with immense ability. Hazard has scored 20 league goals this year but the French league is nothing like the level of the Premier League. Frank Lampard has consistently scored in excess of 20 goals a season at Chelsea, but at no time would anyone have ever considered shelling out over £30 million for his services.
In addition to the pressure that is brought about as a result of the whopping transfer fee and wages believed to be over £150,000 a week, Hazard has heaped extra weight on his own shoulders by the way in which he has handled the transfer battle for his signature. Hazard has teased his potential suitors, enhancing his role and making himself the biggest story in the transfer market. This kind of arrogance will not sit well with football fans, even those at Stamford Bridge who are used to massive egos on the staff. If Hazard already feels he is big news then he has better back this up on the pitch as the press will be on his back as a result of his displays during the transfer process.
With the amount of money that he has cost and the arrogance he has displayed, Hazard had better be some footballer when he steps on the pitch for Chelsea. The notoriously tough Premier League will soon find him out if he is nothing more than an overhyped, overpriced average footballer. Chelsea fans will be hoping for a Drogba and not a Chamakh.
What this transfer does serve to highlight is how Chelsea football club is run. With no confirmed manager at the helm, this transfer is going ahead based on the wishes of the owner Roman Abramovich. Once more he has forced the hand of his manager by buying who he wants at Chelsea, just as he did with Shevchenko and Torres. If Hazard does not perform better than those two at Stamford Bridge, then it will have been a hugely expensive mistake by the Russian.
Only time will tell whether Eden Hazard is worth the money and the patience to cope with his over-inflated ego. Chelsea finished 6th in the Premier League this year and have a massive points gap to overhaul. Surely the only reason that Hazard has chose the Blues is as a result of their fortunate Champions League success. It will be one of the biggest points of interest in the Barclays Premier League this season to see just how the Belgian fares and to assess whether he is worth his self-produced hype and the extortionate price tag
