One of the major talking points ahead of Chelsea’s Tuesday night clash against Southampton was Eden Hazard and his need to be more selfish, but also not be selfish at all — a slightly comedic situation based on different working definitions of selfish as used by Cesc Fàbregas and Antonio Conte. Fàbregas was basically arguing that Hazard needs to be more assertive in the final third, especially when it comes to taking shots, while Conte was saying that he doesn’t want players who would place personal glory ahead of team glory.
Both of those things are true. And both of those things were on clear display from Hazard on Tuesday. There was a well-taken goal and even a couple more shots, there was plenty of great play in the final third, and there were several occasions where he maddeningly passed up obvious shooting situations to make that extra pass or take the safer option.
In a way, it was a class Hazard performance, in all the good and all the bad ways we’ve come to know and love him over the years.
“I don’t care about the number of goals I get. Statistics aren’t important for me. If my goals help my team win games, that’s important. I just want to take the trophy at the end of the season. if I can score a few more goals this season that would be good.”
“I am happy with what I am doing on the pitch, with my movement and everything. I said a few weeks ago there are many similarities with what I did two years ago in the title-winning year.”
-Eden Hazard; source: Chelsea FC
Despite such altruistic aims, Hazard has still managed to set a new personal best in Premier League goals scored with his 15th tally of the season. Best of both worlds in this case for Eden.
In related news, here’s an excellent video from the young and talented Dániel Katona.