Eden Hazard has been a late starter this season, his injury allowing Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne to stake his claim as the Premier League’s most inspired creative forward, though there is still time for Chelsea’s Belgian playmaker to catch up. As no other country seems to be as blessed with intelligent schemers who are skilful as well as powerful, it is not surprising Belgium are attracting their share of attention for the World Cup next summer.
Hazard was easily the most eye-catching performer here, even though Mohamed Salah’s goal against his former club threatened to secure the points until Willian’s late equaliser. He adopts a more forward role than De Bruyne, who this season has been playing from the back of midfield. He is a classic No10 who likes to operate just behind the point of attack, although most of the time, especially when Chelsea are playing away, Hazard is the point of attack. He is Chelsea’s go-to man for getting out of trouble, in that if he receives the ball he rarely loses it, but also for the pressure-relieving run or the sudden change of direction that can carve an opening out of almost nothing.
Related: Liverpool denied victory over Chelsea after Willian’s late equaliser
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