Does Eden Hazard’s new squad number signal a positional shift at Chelsea?

Eden Hazard

One must always be careful with the announcement of squad numbers and making sure we do not jump to conclusions as to whether that signifies a change in role in the team, given the propensity for weird and wonderful preferences of players throughout the world of football.

For instance, Clint Dempsey’s decision to take the number two shirt at Tottenham Hotspur did not signal a shift in position to fill the right-back role at White Hart Lane, but was more a nod to his burgeoning rap career, in which he goes by the moniker ‘Deuce’.

However, with the start of the season so far away and squads far from decided, let alone squad numbers, there is something to be said about Chelsea announcing that Eden Hazard will be wearing the number ten shirt for them next season.

Firstly, it’s good news for Chelsea fans concerned over the future of their talisman, with reports of Hazard falling out with manager Jose Mourinho and subsequent interest from filthy rich and Financial Fair Play-shirking Paris Saint-Germain surrounding the club, with the French giants seemingly interested in half their squad.

A £60 million bid has been rumoured to be being prepared for the Belgian wizard, taking their transfer outlay at Stamford Bridge to £100m having already shelled out big money to sign David Luiz and with relations between Hazard and Mourinho somewhat low after a disagreement over playing style, there were fears that Hazard would push for a move to the French capital.

Secondly, the shift in shirt numbers suggests that Hazard will play a more central role and be the man playing off the striker, presenting a switch that suits both player and manager, with Mourinho having not been satisfied with his work-rate on the wing, with the Belgian’s confidence going forward often seeing him ignore his defensive duties.

Hazard scored the majority of his goals from a central position

Mourinho already lost Juan Mata to such complaints and it would appear he has perhaps learnt his lesson, instead looking to move him just behind the striker where he can be most devastating, with shift workers Andre Schurrle and Willian more suited to the art of tracking back and assisting the full-backs.

Hazard would then be in a better position to be even more deadly, with just three of his goals in the season just ended coming from the left-hand side of the penalty area, with his prowess in the centre of the pitch bringing him a further 11 strikes.

Regular starts in that position are likely to bring him even more goals and creatively he would of more use there as well, with 44.6% of his chances created having come from the space between penalty area and centre circle, while a further 26.1% came from inside the box itself.

From the flanks his creative genius appeared stifled given his reluctance to simply fire crosses into the box, with barely 20% of his chances created coming from the left wing where he was generally situated.

Hazard has been more creative in the centre of the pitch

Eden Hazard is one of those special talents in the game and that free role behind the striker gives him license to roam, popping up all over the pitch as opposed to being restricted to one side of the pitch.

The unpredictability of his position would prove a distinct problem for defenders throughout the Premier League and utilise his destructive attributes fully, in the way Cristiano Ronaldo has done for Real Madrid in his elevation to FIFA’s current Ballon d’Or holder.

Given Hazard’s ambitions of being ranked alongside the Portuguese maestro in the top bracket of players in the world, such a shift in position would be of great benefit to him and therefore Chelsea’s hopes of regaining the Premier League title will be boosted heavily.