Some feel it is just a matter of time before the Belgian leaves Chelsea for Spain but perhaps he realises he may never be quite so brilliant anywhere elseAlmost all of the world’s problems, from daily irritations to long-term catastrophe models, are caused by people doing things. It’s not hard to trace the line of cause and effect. Growth, progress, reaching out, growing as a person: these are invariably the areas where things start to go awry, distractions from the safety of idleness, entropy and generally not doing much.This is not a new idea. The Ten Commandments in the book of Exodus aren’t really commandments in the active sense. They’re prohibitions, warnings against the ancient menace of doing things. As...
Chelsea’s hopes of upsetting Barcelona rest on Belgian but he may wonder if his best chance of achieving greatness is to moveThis week a clip emerged of three Barcelona players being confronted by a metal railing, with each of them choosing to deal with the obstacle in a different way. While Jordi Alba continued to mooch along the suggested route and Luis Suárez dealt with the inconvenience by jumping over it, Lionel Messi could be seen scurrying under the barrier, like a small child setting off on an adventure at passport control, weaving through the legs and dividing lines and leaving his parents in a state of bewildered panic. Related: Chelsea’s Conte confident of new Eden Hazard deal despite Real...
The Belgian is generally the focal point of the attack when Chelsea play away and he was once again the eye-catching performer as the champions ralliedEden 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...
Chelsea’s Belgian playmaker responded in style to Antonio Conte’s call to raise his game at the elite level and left Atlético Madrid trailing in his wakeIt was about two minutes after the final whistle, while Antonio Conte and his victorious players were still massing to acknowledge their fans’ delirious celebrations up in the gods, when the television cameras focused in upon their man. Diego Costa was sitting among the Atlético Madrid dignitaries, initially wearing the same haggard, disbelieving look as those immediately around him, before sinking his head into his hands. It was an image to sum up the locals’ dismal night but, deep inside, even the departed striker must have admired everything his former team‑mates had done here.Conte had...
Players such as Didier Drogba and Eden Hazard are part owners of teams in the States. But it’s not top-flight MLS that attracts themFor years, the foreign soccer star was a fleeting sight on American soil: they came, they partied, they played a few games and then ... they left. Now though, they’re not just passing through on an offseason Las Vegas binge or seeing out their careers in MLS. A new wave of stars are putting down roots by investing in America’s professional game. But it’s not the top league – MLS – that they’re interested in. They’re throwing themselves into second-tier competitions such as the North American Soccer League and United Soccer League. They’re either joining fledgling, ambitious...