Eden Hazard will have the pick of football’s best teams when he finally decides to leave Lille.
The exciting Belgian talent has been one of football’s most sought after commodities for a while, winning the Ligue 1 young player of the year twice in a row in 2009 and 2010 before leading Lille to the title in 2011, being named Ligue 1 player of the year in the process.
A number of managers have made no secret of their admiration for the midfielder, and it is reported that Sir Alex made the trip to France at the weekend to cast an eye over him as they lost 2-1 to Lyon. Last month he was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham but it appears he has greater aspirations, namely working under football’s greatest ever manager.
Speaking to La Voix du Nord, Hazard said about Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson:
“Of course, this a club that excites anyone.
“For now my focus is on Lille but yes, it is a pleasure to be watched by one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best.”
A good young player with great potential. I don’t see how he would fit into the team, although he is the type of player we lack. He has a free wide role normally and we don’t normally play that kind of player. We have wide players like Young, Valencia and Nani and they are the focus of the team. We have top strikers in Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez.
The centre of midfield is where we lack at times but maybe Cleverley and Pogba will solve that position next season. They are both terrific young players and hopefully the rumours of Pogba signing a new deal is true. It could maybe leave room for a Hazard type signing, but I still don’t know where we would play him. He doesn’t seem a central midfielder to me in a 4-4-2 formation.
I have followed French football for a while, and I believe the best players often come out of their league due to the European football they are exposed to plus they get at least 30 first team games a season. One thing I can say about Hazard is using him as a wide midfielder would waste his talent, at Lille he fits into the hole just behind the striker and is used to play the ball out wide and spread play. I believe if he was positioned with Clevery and Pogba behind him, with Young and Nani on either side in 2 to 3 years it could be one of the best midfields in the world. Plus it may allow Rooney the ability to move further up the pitch instead of him playing in Hazard’s role. This may not be the first team due to the ability of Valencia and Fletcher, or the ideal attack without Hernandez or Welbeck but it would be a fantastic team which he could fit seamlessly into.
Eden Hazard is a terrific and special talent. He is very creative and scores goals as well. He is only 21 as well and so he has his best years ahead. I think that would pay a big role in Ferguson decision to try and compete with other clubs for his purchase.
Ferguson probably would invest £25-30 million on Hazard because of his young age and potential. Wesley Sneidjer was 27 years of age and was very expensive with the transfer fee and wages. He had a ‘Veron’ or ‘Berbatov’ type signing written all over him and the right decision was made.
I can understand @Adam point but we tried to sign Samir Nasri and he is not a traditional 4-4-2 type player either. The only guy for that role is Luka Modric and the hassle of signing him from Tottenham is not worth it. Tottenham would drag it all summer and wait until the last day, even if they would sell, just like Berbatov.
I think Ferguson wants a game changer and someone who would allow us to to play a different way. We have terrific wingers, but if a Hazard type player arrived, they would be given a creative role in the middle, as @Toby has suggested. We have lacked that type of special match winner at times. In Europe you need players who can make a difference.
The centre midfield has been described as the problem area for a while. I hope Tom Cleverley will stay injury free and solve that issue. He has terrific talent, and makes the need for a Modric not as great. Paul Pogba could be vital which is why Ferguson is trying hard to keep him. He is a physical power and what we need next season.
If those two develop then we could create room for a Hazard signing but allowing Berbatov and Owen to leave. He can then be rotated in the strike force, but playing a free role when selected.