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Eden Hazard Has Created His Perfect Footballer From 9 Current Stars

Eden Hazard Has Created His Perfect Footballer From 9 Current Stars

His choices and justifications are interesting...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard has created what he deems to be "the perfect footballer" having been given the task by France Football ahead of the trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday..

Split into nine different categories, the Belgian ace combined the abilities of players he has played with and admires, explaining his reasoning for his selections.

Finishing: Luis Suarez

Renowned as one of the most deadly finishers around, Hazard came up against the Uruguayan when Suarez was playing for Liverpool, and he's clearly a fan of his ruthless nature in front of goal.

Vision: Cesc Fabregas

The first of a number of his club and international teammates, Hazard stresses that while the Spaniard doesn't do much running, his ability to find teammates with a defence-splitting pass has him in awe.

"I have had the chance to play with [Cesc] Fabregas and I can say that he has the best game vision in the world," he said.

"He does not run fast, technically he does not make gestures. But he has that thing, and he has it since he was born. If I have his vision of the game, I'd be on a much higher level."

Image: PA

Heading: Christian Benteke

Continuing the trend, Hazard opted for his compatriot Benteke.

Talking about his indifferent aerial ability and then eventually opting for the Crystal Palace striker after mentioning another teammate Marouane Fellaini and Cristiano Ronaldo, he said:

"What I do not like, with heading, is to have to jump. I'm afraid the opponents will get ahead of me. At the level of relaxation, I am not bad, I have good timing. I jump high. It's just the headbutt, I'm afraid, I close my eyes. I would need the head of Cristiano Ronaldo. That guy, he jumps, stays in the air and it's good, he scores. How about Fellaini? Ah yes, Fellaini, incredible! And Benteke, a crazy thing! He jumps, 'pah, goal!"

Free-kicks: Christian Eriksen

The former Lille man stresses that he's a huge fan of the legendary Juninho, arguably the greatest free-kick taker of all-time. But given that the Brazilian retired many moons ago and Hazard had to pick a current player, he went for the Danish dead-ball expert Eriksen.

Image: PA

Physicality: Cristiano Ronaldo

You cannot disagree with Hazard at all with this one, surely?

Movement: Karim Benzema

The second Real player selected by Hazard, Benzema is widely viewed as one of the best around not just in terms of getting into goalscoring positions, but opening up space for his teammates to excel - and Hazard agrees.

Class: Andres Iniesta

When you think of the word "Class" in football terms, Andres Iniesta should be one of the first names to pop into your head and Hazard concurs.

Leadership: John Terry

Hazard played under the Chelsea legend for five seasons at Stamford Bridge and he doesn't think any captain in world football is better than JT, saying:

"John Terry is the best captain in the world. He is there, he encourages you all the time. He screams. When you do not play well, it does not matter, he speaks to you, tells you that you must move. He has the right words. When I am a captain, I say to myself: 'What am I going to say?' I should be able to but I cannot. And there is no question of forcing myself. It will not be me. I do not like it."

Image: PA

Speed: Eden Hazard

Last but not least, the diminutive Belgian had to include himself in some capacity and so settled on picking himself for 'speed' - something he credits his mother for providing him with.

"For my speed, or rather acceleration, it is thanks to my mother, who has a shape that resembles mine," he explained.

"She's a sports teacher, my dad too. I did not even do exercises when I was a kid, that's also innate. As far as I am concerned, I have this quality of speed over a few metres, not on a long distance. After that, I am quickly tired. But for the first five metres, at the start, I am not bad."

Thoughts on Hazard's 'perfect' player?

Sound off in the comments.

(h/t The Mirror & The Guardian)

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Eden Hazard, Chelsea, Football