As Eden Hazard prepares to face Atlético Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Chelsea and Belgium forward has been asked to select a portrait of his ideal player in a feature for France Football magazine. Made up of some of the leading stars in modern football including Cesc Fàbregas and Christian Eriksen, here is a selection of his answers.
The game vision of Cesc Fàbregas
“I have had the chance to play with [Cesc] Fàbregas and I can say that he has the best game vision in the world. He does not run fast, technically he does not make gestures... [Hazard looks up at the sky.] But he has that thing, and he has it since he was born. If I have his vision of the game, I’d be there... [He places his hand over his head.] I’d be on a much higher level. The guy takes the ball, does not even look and puts it right where he wants to just behind the defender. And behind, the guy will score. I say to myself: ‘But how did he see that?’ Sometimes, in the team, between us, we say to ourselves: ‘But why is he doing that?’ And, in the end, the pass is magnificent.”
The heading of Christian Benteke
“Is that my weak point? No, no. You know what, I am good at heading! It’s just that I’m small. What I do not like, with heading, is to have to jump. I’m afraid the opponents will get ahead of me. At the level of relaxation, I am not bad, I have good timing. I jump high. It’s just the headbutt, I’m afraid, I close my eyes. I would need the head of Cristiano Ronaldo. That guy, he jumps, stays in the air and it’s good, he scores. How about Fellaini? Ah yes, Fellaini, incredible! And Benteke, a crazy thing! He jumps, pah, goal!”
The free kicks of Christian Eriksen
“I would take the free kicks of Juninho [Pernambucano]. In training, I can take them not badly, but as soon as I get to the game, I’m not focused, be it corners, free kicks … That’s why I do not get many. I shoot as if I were in my backyard, but still need some concentration. But I cannot! Or only for penalties. Juninho, I was watching his videos. Even a guy who does not know football, he knows his free kicks. They went around the world. Today, among those who still play, I would say Christian Eriksen of Tottenham, he shoots them too well. And Toni Kroos, too. [He whistles, once again admiring.] Besides, when Sergio Ramos scores, it’s always him who delivers the corner. Magic foot.”
The leadership of John Terry
“I do not like to talk. For the national team, I am captain but I say nothing. I do my talking with the ball, on the ground. Like Zidane at the time. Being captain, it’s an innate thing too. There are people who are made for ... ‘Yeah, yeah!’ [He pretends to organise his troops.] People who are made to scream. John Terry is the best captain in the world. He is there, he encourages you all the time. He screams. When you do not play well, it does not matter, he speaks to you, tells you that you must move. He has the right words. When I am a captain, I say to myself: ‘What am I going to say?’ I should be able to but I cannot. And there is no question of forcing myself. It will not be me. I do not like it. Some people like to talk, others do not.”
Eden Hazard’s speed
“For my speed, or rather acceleration, it is thanks to my mother, who has a shape that resembles mine. She’s a sports teacher, my dad too. I did not even do exercises when I was a kid, that’s also innate. As far as I am concerned, I have this quality of speed over a few metres, not on a long distance. After that, I am quickly tired … But for the first five metres, at the start, I am not bad.”
Other players selected: Luis Suárez (finishing), Karim Benzema (off the ball movement), Cristiano Ronaldo (physicality), Andrés Iniesta (‘class’).
Read Hazard’s full selection in the latest edition of France Football.
Comments (…)
Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion