The Hazard era at Chelsea: trophies and the rivalry with City

By Martin Graham

Throughout Eden Hazard’s tenure at Chelsea, the membership loved a interval of serious success. The workforce secured two Premier League titles and two Europa League trophies with the Belgian star of their lineup. This assortment of silverware was additional enhanced with victories within the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Former captain John Terry had confidently predicted Hazard can be distinctive for the Blues, and this perception was shortly validated. Hazard quickly established himself as one of the excellent skills in your entire league, residing as much as the excessive expectations from the very starting.

The Manchester Metropolis rivalry

Hazard’s years in England aligned with the conclusion of Manchester United’s interval of supremacy. Throughout this period, Chelsea had been persistently on the high of the desk. On the events when the London membership didn’t win the league, it was sometimes Manchester Metropolis who had been topped champions. In truth, the Manchester aspect secured the title on three separate events whereas the winger was at Stamford Bridge.

This constant competitors explains why Hazard recognized Metropolis as his most tough opponent. Chelsea ended up in third place twice in seasons the place Metropolis gained the league, together with the 2018/19 marketing campaign, which was his final with the membership.

Hazard’s private report towards Metropolis

Regardless of starting his Chelsea profession in a Neighborhood Defend match towards Manchester Metropolis the place he didn’t rating, his general report towards them was spectacular. In all competitions, the attacker scored 4 instances and supplied six assists towards the Sky Blues.

One among his most memorable moments got here within the 2019 EFL Cup ultimate, the place he audaciously transformed a panenka penalty. Though Metropolis gained the match, this second highlighted the sheer confidence he possessed when going through them. His best interval towards this rival was the 2016/17 season, the place he was accountable for three of his workforce’s 5 objectives of their conferences, a season that concluded with Chelsea lifting the Premier League trophy.

Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author