What is it with this Hazard euphoria? At th highest level he has been found wanting - a lightweight version of Samir Nasri. Even the Belgians think he underperforms at international level. He's a lightweight, skillfull player that has a LOT to prove before he can be considered top class. Chelsea have just taken a HUGE gamble on an unproven player, with a suspect attitude.
What club has Drogba gone to? Drogba is 34 and has won every worthwhile competition with us multiple times (bar the Champions League). He was even willing to sign a new contract if we agreed to his two year deal, which we did not. We parted on a mutual agreement since his contract came to an end. Honestly using Drogba was a terrible example and the wrong one. Were Real Madrid and and Barcelona too small time for Beckham and Henry respectively?
As Jonathan Wilson, says Messi skews peoples judgement on other young players. The guy is still a kid and what he has achieved so far in his career has been very good. He has conquered the French league and did way more there than Nasri ever managed to achieve in France for a start. He is not lightweight. He is actually very strong on the ball like Iniesta,Xavi,Messi and co. Belgium as a team have been underachieving for years. They have never found the right manager and their is a serious split in their camp between different fractions. They need to find a manager that can sort that out. Hazard not being able to perform in such an environment is understandable. Off course he has a lot to prove, he is only 21 for god sakes. Also in the current market his price tag is again understandable. When donkeys like Henderson are getting sold for £16 odd million, then Hazard is rightly priced at £30 million plus. The way he moved from Lille to Chelsea has put people off him in terms of him as a person, but let's not confuse that with his talent, which is amazing and he is rightly billed as one of the best young players in the world alongside Neymar,Gotze and co.
"With all respect to Chelsea, I'd rather join a club with history such as Liverpool or Arsenal." - Eden Hazard
I wonder if Jayram actually thinks sometimes, Hazard an unproven player? Is that why a lot of clubs including us were interested in buying him? He watches the Belgium game and makes this conclusion on him.... For a 21 year old scoring 20 goals and assisting 16 in the French league is excellent. Comparing Nasri's 07/08 Marseille's season before we bought him, he scored 6 goals and assisted 11, this was his best season. He is better than Nasri was at the same age and will only get better.
Hazard is unproven at the highest level. As I said, even in Belgium they have not been impressed with his international performances - he has 2 goals in 28 caps. In the league for Lille he has had one productive season goalscoring. His record in France scoring goals is not as good as Gervinho, and we know that Gervinho has struggled at the higher level of the PL. In the champions League, Hazard has just failed to produce. He MAY go on to be a very good player - he seems to have the talent - but my point was that he is unproven at the highest level right now. As for clubs being interested in buying him - how many were there? All we really have are newspaper reports and a well orchestrated agent and PR campaign that has run for months. We dont know if Utd, City, or Arsenal were ever interested in spending that amount on Hazard.
Bit stupid comparing the champions/relegation thing. Podolski is one player, and Koln having a shocking defence was not his fault. For the amount goals he got in a team as poor as Koln, Podolski would have surely been in with a shout to be one of the better players in that league, but because he played in such a poor team, getting in the best XI is not easy. Again, Podolski had to rely on service that was very limited so considering that he did well to get the amount of goals he did. The last point does not concern me and I find it funny to see someone else bring it up. We are judging footballers here. But, then again in this modern football so tedious **** about 'marketing' is sadly now part of the football conversation.
Ditto. As usual Shwan pipes in with his load of bollox Podolski will do us just fine. You better worry about your team John, don't worry about ours, I think you will find most Arsenal fans are VERY happy that we bought Podolski. Chelsea need Hazard more than we do.
IMO Kagawa is a little lightweight, although he does bring much needed creativity to United. Against more physical sides like Stoke he may be outmuscled though. Just my opinion.
Hmm one with 48 international goals and 95 caps or a player with errr 9. Also picked in the Bundesliga's best XI. Wrong again..Podolski played almost half of his games for Cologne as 'second striker'. He also played a few games in midfield. From a marketing point of view Podolski is a HUGE star in Germany and Poland.(he's tha face of Dolce and Gabbana for a start) But the main point is that Podolski is 5'11 muscular and aggressive. Kagawa is small, slim and it should probably noted that soo far a Japanese player has NEVER suceeded in the EPL. I like Kagawa he's a decent player but Podolski is the more suited to the English league and under Wenger i have no doubt he'll display his interntional form at club Level. Goetze was Dortmunds greatest creative asset over the last two Seasons not the little Japanese.
Crouch is an exception rather than the rule. There is no higher pressure enviroment for a footballer than a major international tournament. Podolski will prove to be top class. If we keep RVP we may actually have a forward line to be feared again. I like Kagawa and I think Hazrad has massive potential( and a massive ego) but I feel pretty confident in saying Podolski will have the most impact on the EPL.
All the players mentioned will have an impact. Man U have finally got the creative spark that they've been missing since Scholes went past his peak. They will be title contenders again. Chelsea have signed 2 quality players, one of which is near world class. They are also looking to add another world class signing in Hulk. They will have a much more formidable lineup come next season and it will only depend on if their manager (whoever he is) can get them together. On paper they should be contenders but constant interfering from Abe and their revolving door managers, will only hamper their chances in the PL. Arsenal have signed a quality player in Podolski. He should make us more potent up front, as shown with his clinical finishing and striking ability. This will also help solidify our left wing position. However, we have yet to finalise the signiture of RVP. Losing RVP will have a huge impact on our attacking ability and will limit the impact of Podolski's signing. We have also not strengthened key positions in our team and have limited quality on our bench. As it stands, we are not contenders and 4th place is the best we can hope for. This can change if we bring in significant reinforcements.
Crouch is not the exception. International football is nowhere near the standard of The Premier League, never mind The Champions League. And Podolski is another Bargain Bucket signing. Too slow for the Prem
