How far is Eden Hazard from becoming an All-time Premier League Legend?

As soon as one enters the gorgeous Stamford Bridge from the East or the Matthew Harding Stand, "Garden of Eden" is probably the first banner everyone notices. The banner hasn't always been up there, surely wasn't when the then 21-year old prodigy arrived from the French League. Fast forward 7 years, and the tribute today finds space next to those of John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba. It is no small feat to have one's name next to the Premier League's best and this certainly raises the question, how far is Eden Hazard from becoming an All-time Premier League Legend?

To begin with, assessment of the ceiling is important to know what is the best possible stature one can climb in the Premier League. Recently, Thierry Henry was awarded the 'Best overseas player of the Premier League era' by BBC above the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Sergio Aguero, Petr Cech, Patrick Viera, and Peter Schmeichel among others. When you include the Englishmen, the names of Alan Shearer, John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Tony Adams, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, and Wayne Rooney would be thrown into the mix.

These players have multiple individual and team honours attached to their legacy, following prolonged careers at the very top of the game. All of the above-mentioned players baring Steven Gerrard have won the league title. In fact, most of them have won the title on multiple occasions with the likes of John Terry, Peter Schmeichel and Wayne Rooney winning it five (5) times in total. Others, like Thierry Henry, have their trophy cabinets full of individual awards.

The Frenchman won the Golden Boot award a record four (4) times and won the prestigious PFA Player of the year twice. Whereas, Cristiano Ronaldo, won the Golden boot once, the PFA Player of the year twice and reached the pinnacle when he won the Ballon d'Or whilst still playing in the Premier League.

Apart from the awards and titles these players have won, many of the all-time Premier League records are also currently intact with these select few. Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, and Thierry Henry stand in the Top-5 for all-time most goals scored. Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney also appear in the Top-5 for all-time most assists.

Whilst coming back to our beloved Belgian, Hazard is currently in his seventh (7th) Premier League season and has been directly involved in 136 premier league goals, scoring 85 and assisting another 58, all while playing at the wing. To put things into perspective, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 84 (one less than Hazard) and assisted 34 goals while playing at a similar position.

He has won the League title twice and was also awarded the prestigious PFA player of the year once, while having finished as runner-up once, behind his teammate N'golo Kante. He is currently regarded at the levels of Messi and Ronaldo (or close), for the sheer effect he has on games. Apart from the current 2018-19 season, where he has scored 16 and assisted another 12 goals in 32 appearances, Hazard has played under defensive managers all his Chelsea career. This fact adds to the reputation of the Belgian as a match winner.

Frank Lampard and John Terry will be remembered for long

His greatest strengths lie in his speed and creativity, which has made him the most lethal dribbler in the Premier League. He has completed more than 819 dribbles since 1st August 2012, with the player next to him, Mousa Dembele, being far behind at 394 successful dribbles. This quality of his wins his team numerous set-pieces, since he is also the most fouled player in the league during the same tenure.

Despite being the best Premier League player over the last 6-7 seasons, where does Eden Hazard stand in the category of the Premier League legends? To be fair to the achievements of those players, as of today Hazard does not deserve to be mentioned with them, at least on the basis of achievements. Anyone who has seen Hazard play would surely describe his talent, skill and technique to be right up there, at the top.

In fact, his skill levels are even better than some of the Premier League elites, although, the sheer longevity and consistency of the players in the elite group, trumps the talent of Eden Hazard. However, if he rejects the temptetion to play under his childhood hero, Zidane at Real Madrid and extends his Chelsea contract, he will surely have enough time to enter the Premier League folklore and will be assured a place in all time Premier League greats in the coming years.

Edited by Jidonu Mauyon