Chelsea Banter Archive May 14 2016

14 May 2016 04:59:11
Hi Ed,

Hope your well.

Can I ask about the "different role" that Terry mentioned in the new extension that Chelsea offered him? Any restrictions or sth like that? I don't mean about finance cause I know u don't like talking about it.

And if i'm also allowed - could i ask specifically if Chelsea hold an interest in Gotze. I saw your answer from other post but it doesn't show anything about Chelsea.

Thank you very much in advance,

Daton.

{Ed002's Note - No idea, sorry.}

14 May 2016 09:47:07
Hey Ed001, I love reading your views on players, just wanted to ask you what your opinion is on Hazard, if you have the time. Have a nice weekend.

{Ed001's Note - technically he is one of the best players in the world, my issue with him has always been his attitude, there has always been something I never liked about him, even before this season. He always seemed on the verge of just not bothering. This season it manifested itself fully. Personally I like players to motivate themselves and the others around them, to want to compete and win for the team. Hazard doesn't have those qualities.

He is a floater, who just wants to play, which is great in its own way, makes a player great to watch and entertaining, but it is not going to win as often as it should. He doesn't have that nastiness, that total desire to win that Messi has, for instance. Hazard is mentally soft, not as in he will fold when put under pressure, but as in he doesn't have that real work ethic and desire to do that little bit extra that you need to be the very best.

Hazard has great ability. but he is a solo player, someone who plays for himself first, the team second. That requires very careful managing to get the most out of it. He is hard work. If he could develop that will to win, then he would be up there with the best players in the world, without it, he is just another fancy dan with great skills but needing a team to do everything for him to win trophies.

No player should ever struggle for fitness in this day and age, there is no excuse for a professional athlete to be overweight in this era. The fact that Hazard was overweight when he returned to training says a lot about how his head was not in the game. That is the issue, fix that and you have a fantastic player who can create magic. Otherwise he is a hindrance.}

14 May 2016 11:13:52
Couldn't agree more Ed. I said that at the start of the season. His shootings actually really good but he doesn't seem to be a killer in front of goal. That's why I think Griezmann's a better player.

14 May 2016 11:36:18
Ed001: The analysis of Hazard was as word perfect as it could get. Superb answer to what was likely to create an emotive response.

{Ed001's Note - thank you, I was trying to remove emotion and look at him completely objectively.}

14 May 2016 16:28:51
Thanks Ed001, spot on as usual, couldn't help feeling that way when I watched his this season. Think he's going to mature though after the events of this season be it in Chelsea or elsewhere, I think as a player he'll mature mentally. Thanks again.

{Ed001's Note - it was always the worry with him, there was never a problem with his quality, just his ability to produce it on a regular basis. It is a shame when such talent is not being used to its fullest.}

13 May 2016 19:54:04
Anything on Higuain Ed?