He might have slipped off the radar over the winter period but a certain Belgian superstar has recently sprung back into life for Chelsea, and is now looking to spearhead their challenge for silverware.
Eden Hazard was one of Europe’s hottest properties last summer and the Blues pulled off something of a coup by completing a 32million Euro deal with Lille for the 22-year-old. Having set the Premier League alight in the first few months of the season, Hazard did begin to go off the boil when the nights grew shorter and the once lush green pitches turned a bit brown.
With the weather improving slightly, Hazard has hit his straps again and has been unplayable at times in his last three appearances. He stepped off the bench against Manchester United in their FA Cup quarter-final to spark the most unlikely of comebacks before helping them negotiate a tricky Europa League tie with Steaua Bucharest.
While the Premier League is out of Chelsea’s grasp, FA Cup betting pundits are still holding onto the hope they can do a Cup and Europa League double. The Blues relationship with the FA Cup in recent years has been strong, winning four of the last six finals. To extend that run they must now finish the job they came so close to completing at Old Trafford earlier this month.
Only the outstretched leg of United keeper, David de Gea, kept the Premier League leaders in the competition and the Spaniard will need to be on top form again to keep out Hazard and co. The midfield maestro and Juan Mata put on a real show in the 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday, leaving their London rivals bamboozled by their movement and silky skills.
While United’s defence has been fairly rock solid of late, Chelsea have already shown they can get through the Red Devils backline in the first game at Old Trafford. Hazard is starting to look unplayable and Sir Alex Ferguson will have to get his tactics spot on if he is to reward fans placing an FA Cup bet, and keep alive his dream of a league and cup double.
