Eden Hazard, former Actual Madrid and Chelsea winger, had a profession many anticipated to shine brightly however in the end dimmed as a consequence of damage and unfulfilled potential.
Hazard, who was as soon as thought-about one of many prime gamers in Europe, moved to Actual Madrid for a staggering €120 million, a switch charge that positioned excessive expectations on his shoulders.
Sadly, persistent accidents hindered his efficiency and prevented him from showcasing his finest soccer in Spain.
Surprisingly, Hazard’s profession may have taken a special flip years earlier than his transfer to Chelsea. Barcelona reportedly had a eager curiosity within the Belgian winger whereas he was nonetheless at Lille, the place he skilled and developed his expertise for practically a decade.
On the time, Hazard was already making a reputation for himself together with his creativity, fast footwork, and goal-scoring capacity. Nonetheless, Barcelona’s scouts in the end selected to go on signing him, regardless of intently monitoring his progress.
Why did Barcelona reject Hazard?
Barcelona rejected the chance to signal Eden Hazard. (Photograph by Catherine Ivill/Getty Photographs)
Bojan Krkic Sr., a former scout for Barcelona, just lately make clear why Barcelona determined towards pursuing Hazard. In accordance with Krkic Sr., he first observed Hazard’s abilities in the course of the U-17 European Championship, the place Hazard’s performances caught the eye of many prime golf equipment.
“I met him on the U-17 European Championship, the place my son performed. Belgium reached the ultimate, however Spain gained it; Hazard performed the whole event splendidly, apart from the ultimate. Then, he signed for Lille,” he mentioned as quoted by SPORT.
Nonetheless, Krkic noticed some regarding indicators relating to Hazard’s method and dedication.
On one event, when watching Lille’s warm-up earlier than a match towards Montpellier, Krkic observed Hazard standing aside from his teammates, showing much less centered and extra within the crowd than the preparation.
“I went to see him towards Montpellier. It was August and a participant was lacking from the warm-up, all briefly sleeves and Hazard got here out in tracksuits.
“The group was all collectively to heat up, he was the opposite method round; they stretched, and he appeared on the stands. He performed effectively, however in supply and perspective I didn’t like him,” he famous.
Gave him one other probability
Eager to present Hazard one other probability, Krkic returned to look at him in one other match. Sadly, related behaviour emerged, as Hazard appeared disconnected from the group’s actions and fewer engaged in pre-match routines.
Hazard’s perspective was not on par with Barcelona’s calls for. (Photograph by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Photographs)
“I went to see him three days later towards Angers. He was on the bench, like different starters. Everybody warmed up and he was strolling. The bodily coach advised them to stretch and he was watching the sport. I put ‘discarded’ within the report,” he added.
Krkic concluded in his scouting report that Hazard, regardless of his technical and tactical brilliance, lacked the dedication and mindset Barcelona valued of their gamers.
“Some of these gamers, who’re superb, have proven me that they haven’t given outcomes; each once they have been my teammates, and after I was a Barça scout.
“My report was: most high quality, technically and tactically; however due to perspective and character, with extra particulars, I dominated him out,” he concluded.
This analysis in the end led Barcelona to desert their curiosity in Hazard. Whereas Hazard went on to take pleasure in appreciable success with Chelsea, his struggles with consistency and damage all through his profession appeared to validate Krkic’s early evaluation.