Thorgan Hazard is finally proving he’s more than a wingman
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Is Hazard now Premier League ready?
The summer of 2012 was a big year in the lives of the Hazard family. Eden Hazard had just moved to Chelsea from Ligue 1 side Lille as a soon-to-be Premier League star.
While Eden would firmly establish himself as one of the best players in the league, his sibling was cast in the shadows at the Blues.
Fast forward to present day and Thorgan is now lighting up the Bundesliga with Borussia Mochengladbach, with a Premier League return closer than ever before.
We take a look at the rise and rise of Thorgan Hazard…
Loan-star
Hazard didn’t actually make a first team appearance in his three years as a Chelsea player.
After signing in July 2012 he was out the door by the end of August, returning to his homeland with Belgian club Zulte Waregem.
In two seasons in Belgium, Hazard was a key man in his sides’ second and fourth-placed finishes.
Another loan move beckoned as he joined Monchengladbach in 2015.
His stock has risen ever since and with Chelsea winning the league in 2014/15 – plus the manager upheaval – Hazard decided to cut ties with the London club at the end of that season.
Breaking the mold
Hazard has since found a home at Die Fohlen, and recently confessed he has felt his ‘status has changed’ at the German club.
Former boss Lucien Favre used YouTube to identify Hazard’s immense potential and saw no risk in first bringing the youngster on loan.
Gladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl has high praise for Hazard’s ‘exemplary development’ since his permanent arrival.
After netting six goals in 2015/16, he has followed that up with 11 a year later and then bagged 10 goals and seven assists last campaign.
This season he’s helped Gladbach to second-place in the Bundesliga and they’re current 50/1 third favourites for the title.
Eden may always grab the headlines, but his brother is now turning heads of his own and proving he can be the go-to-guy and not just a wingman.
Premier League ready?
The 25-year-old has grown in stature both on and off the field, and has become a regular member of the Belgian national team.
In his 19 league appearances so far this season he has nine goals and seven assists, with a better conversion rate that his older brother with 20.5% to Eden’s 18.5%.
The doubts over Eden’s future at Chelsea are growing – which could mean the West Londoners explore bringing the Gladbach man back.
But Liverpool are also reportedly keen to do a deal, with Jurgen Klopp still keeping an eye over developments in his native Germany.
More immediate concern for Hazard is if Gladbach at 4/6 can grab a win over Hertha Berlin this weekend.
But the summer of 2019 could be another landmark year in both the Hazard’s careers.
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