Chelsea move has made Eden Hazard a great player: Georges Leekens

David Luiz congratulates Eden Hazard on scoring their second goal during the UEFA Super Cup between Bayern Munich and Chelsea at Stadion Eden on August 30, 2013 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Getty Images)

Few big money transfers live up to their price tag. There have been many flops littered in the history of football, while Chelsea have had personal experiences in the form of Andrei Shevchenko and Fernando Torres (to a certain extent).

Eden Hazard, though, has just been brilliant. Hazard, who cost £34m in transfer fees and £150,000 per week in wages, had a lot to expectations to satisfy. A return of 13 goals and 20 assists in his first season more than justified his price tag.

Former Belgium coach Georges Leekens has praised Hazard by saying that he has made himself a great player since the move to Chelsea.

Speaking to Sport Foot Magazine, he said:

“When I coached the Red Devils, Eden Hazard had the talent and personality, now he has more scope. At Lille, he was a good player.

“At Chelsea, he has become a great player. He has evolved.

“He takes on more responsibilities and has become a real professional, working in some games, tracking back to left back. And he is now respected by the squad.”

Of course, it would be daft to judge the player by just one season, but it is remarkable how Hazard has become an important part of the Chelsea team in a short span of time.

It is widely thought that Jose Mourinho sees the ‘next Cristiano Ronaldo’ in Hazard. His goal against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Super Cup was very much reminiscent of Ronaldo’s goals, while playing for United.

On Hazard becoming a superstar, Mourinho recently said:

“When you are a top talent you can’t waste that talent. I think at this talent level he is somebody very above us.

“He is a top talent, but it’s one thing being a top talent and another being a top player. And I want him to be a top player.”

Hazard suffered an injury while on international duty with the Belgian national team. He is expected to play with the help of painkillers against Scotland in the World Cup qualifying match on Saturday. He should be fit for Chelsea’s next match against Everton on September 14, 2013.