Two plus cash for Lille sensation in January

There is no doubt that Hazard could flourish in this free role and as Arsenal legend Robert Pires said of the youngster:

‘His instinctive nature and willingness to constantly disrupt the opposing defence is very rare to find at this level.’

Interestingly, a respected European football journalist told me recently that Hazard is playing a free role at Lille and it is playing with Joe Cole that is bringing the best out of him.

This would leave Ramsey, Arteta, Song, Diaby, Frimpong, Coquelin and the returning Wilshere all competing for two starting slots behind our new superstar. So certainly one would suspect more departures should we land the Belgian wonderkid.

The other aspect that is of interest is of course the Real Madrid competition.

I recently read a quote from Zinedine Zidane when researching this article. The former France international said:

‘Eden is technically gifted and very fast. I would take him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed. He can become a great footballer; he is a star of the future.’

Now on the face of it, given Arsenal’s present form and position compared to that of the Spanish giants, I assume most pundits and indeed supporters would make us firm second favourites in this two horse race for the players signature. However, there are in my opinion FOUR factors in Arsenal’s favour here:

1. Firstly, Eden Hazard knows that Wenger has admired him consistently over many years and has never made this a secret.

2. Wenger will guarantee Hazard first-team football and that he will build the team around him as he did with Fabregas. Looking at Real Madrid, currently, I feel Hazard would have to share duties with or dislodge Mesut Ozil, himself one of Europe’s top playmakers. Is he good enough to do that?

3. He will know the style of play under Wenger, which will suit him and will not change. Can the same be said of tactics and style under Mourinho?

4. Lastly, we have the pull of a fellow Belgian and international team-mate Thomas Vermaelen, as well as ex-Lille colleague Gervinho.

The first and most important job is to put some form together and certainly ensure we qualify for the knock out phase of the Champions League so when we do return to Lille we have not only the right deal for the club, but the best prospects for Hazard.

This story will run and run, but I have little doubt that Wenger will make every effort to secure the services of this blossoming talent, who in 9 games already this season has bagged 4 goals and 4 assists.