Mentioned alongside Neymar, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohammed Salah as one of the best players in the world, Eden Hazard might not even be the best Hazard if statistics from this season are taken into account.
With eight goals and five assists in the Bundesliga, Thorgan Hazard has one goal more than his older brother Eden and the same number of assists.
Here, we take a look at Thorgan’s role at Borussia Monchengladbach
Age: 25
Height: 1.74m
Place of birth: La Louvière, Belgium
Position: Attacking Midfielder (Centre, Left, Right)
Borussia Monchengladbach statistics 2018-19
Appearances: 13
Goals: 8
Assists: 5
STRENGTHS:
Versatility
The Belgian has functioned as a left-winger and right-winger in a 4-3-3 and as a right-midfielder in a 4-4-2 for Gladbach this season. He can also play as an attacking midfielder in the centre and his eye for space makes him a creative threat behind the striker.
Hazard can be lethal from either side of the pitch and offers something different in each of his roles. The 25-year-old can cut in from the left and prove to be a direct threat on goal when he plays as a left winger. When on the right, he links up well with Michael Lang and has the freedom to either drift wide and provide a cross or cut in to provide Lang on the overlap.
Hazard’s versatility to not only play in different positions but also undertake different roles sets him apart.
Dribbling and movement
The 25-year-old might not be a better dribbler than Eden given how high a bar the latter has set in recent seasons. But Thorgan can be a real menace when he’s settled in and has the ball at his feet. With 1.5 successful dribbles per game, the younger Hazard can make a good case for being fluid with the ball.
Thorgan’s movement can also facilitate quick counters which has been a key feature of Dieter Hecking’s side this campaign. The winger’s swift movements can cause some real problems to the opponents. The Foals build up patiently but then turn to swift attacking movements to unsettle the opposition’s backline. Here, Thorgan can provide the final pass that can be decisive in Gladbach’s quest for a goal.
Off the ball, the youngster is intelligent with his runs to either create space for himself or open it up for a teammate. Hazard’s pressing adds more attributes to his game, making him a manager’s top pick under any system.
WEAKNESSES:
None significant
Jack of all trades, master of none: Dribbling, passing, finishing, movement, positioning, pressing – Hazard has got it all. However, he can’t be placed in a top tier in any of them. He has no weaknesses as such but the fact that he has placed a cap on these attributes can prove to be disadvantageous. The youngster has to do justice to his potential and needs to excel in any of his existing skillsets to do so.
Hazard can also work on his defending and look to win more aerial duels. Expecting a player of his frame to excel against the towering defenders would be a bit too optimistic. But the La Louvière native can work on this aspect which would provide a huge advantage to Gladbach, based on their style of play.
WHO ELSE?! Thorgan Hazard gets Gladbach level just 6 minutes in.
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 25, 2018
That's already Hazard's 8th Bundesliga goal of the season. #BMGH96 pic.twitter.com/5HxebJVkDI
TRANSFER INTERESTS:
Italian giants Inter are reported to be interested in Thorgan and they will be facing stiff competition from Valencia and Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund have a surplus of talents and a strong bench in the attacking positions. Besides, it’s unlikely that Gladbach would be willing to sell a talented player such as Hazard to a direct rival.
Valencia are struggling in the league and Hazard would be better off letting this offer pass.
Inter looks like the good option for the youngster, should he want to test himself in a different league. But, in truth, Hazard has been a major factor behind their good run this season, therefore staying put at Gladbach could probably be the best option for his future development.
