Sleeper – Eden Hazard

Our series of summer articles, focussing on Fantasy assets who underperformed in the previous season, gets underway with a look at Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.

In spite of a hugely disappointing 2015/16 campaign, there’s no disputing the winger’s position as Fantasy Premier League (FPL) royalty.

Year on year, the Blues midfielder had upped his output after arriving at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2012/13 season – totals of 190, 202 and 233 points were indicative of his spot as one of the most explosive, and reliable, options for our five-man midfields.

Until last season.

Hampered by a hip problem, Hazard struggled for consistency of both output and pitch time.

The Belgian netted just once in the first 34 matches – courtesy of a deflected effort against Arsenal in Gameweek 6 – and toppled off our radars as the Blues’ title defence fell to pieces, ultimately leading to the dismissal of Jose Mourinho.

Although the arrival of Guus Hiddink helped steady the ship and transformed the likes of Willian as a viable route into the Chelsea midfield, Hazard failed to find his best form until the tail end of the season.

Four goals in the final five fixtures was too little, too late, though served a timely reminder of his talents as we headed into the close-season.

Delving into the data, Hazard’s creativity more or less stayed the same last term. Despite earning just five FPL assists, an average of 35.3 minutes per key pass was more or less identical to his 2014/15 numbers, where he teed up a team-mate every 35.6 minutes and created more chances (99) than any player in the top-flight.

The Belgian’s drop in goal threat was another matter altogether. Second only to Alexis Sanchez in midfield when in came to finding the net in 2014/15 (14 strikes to 16), he produced an effort every 45.2 minutes in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign.

Last time around, Hazard fired an attempt every 64.8 minutes over his 31 appearances (25 starts) all season. Managing just 14 shots on target over the entire campaign, it’s fair to say that the winger has significant room for improvement as the Blues look to regroup under new manager Antonio Conte.

The Prospects

Having dropped in price to 10.0 in FPL, there’s no doubt that Hazard looks an enticing option for the upcoming campaign.

With Diego Costa seemingly edging towards the exit door and Michy Batshuayi settling into his new surrounds, the winger has already claimed 12% ownership – making him the tenth most popular midfielder to date.

Certainly, the Belgian could hardly have asked for a better start to life under Conte at the weekend.

Emerging from the bench to score twice in a half-hour cameo against Real Madrid, he was intriguingly handed a role through the middle in the new manager’s 4-2-4 formation and, according to the Italian, it’s a spot he could take up in the campaign ahead:

“Eden Hazard played 30 minutes and he is recovering a good shape. I like him in this position, like a forward, and he can be a good solution for us. Also playing as a winger. To play as a second forward he must improve his shape but he is working and he knows his shape can a lot in the same way as the other players.”

Clearly, Hazard’s appeal would merely be strengthened if he’s handed a more central role next time out. As it is, though, the Belgian’s history suggests he’ll be well worth the outlay even if he reprises his left flank berth, though Conte’s decision to move to two up front could force a reassessment of his side’s attack.

The Blues have mainly utilised a 4-2-3-1 formation during Hazard’s time at the club and if Conte decides on two centre forwards, the likes of Batshuayi – at a price of 9.0 – could be promoted in our thinking. The new striker racked up 17 goals and nine assists for a Marseille outfit that finished just nine points clear of the drop zone last season and will look more assured of minutes if Costa departs.

Conte’s choice of number one spot-kick taker could sway opinion. Hazard was uncharacteristically poor from penalties last season but his previous record may well persuade the new manager to name him as first-choice.

This would also heighten his appeal when compared to other premium priced midfielders – at present, no other option in the centre of the park costing 9.5 and over is first-choice for spot-kicks at their respective club.

Although he returned late to training due to Belgium’s Euro 2016 progress, Hazard is hoping to start against AC Milan in midweek and is confident he’ll be ready in time for the Gameweek 1 trip to West Ham in a fortnight’s time.

Having served up 37 goals and 36 assists in the three seasons prior to the last one, there’s a hope that 2015/16 will be no more than an anomaly in Hazard’s Fantasy career.

For Conte, the upside of last year’s disastrous title defence means that Chelsea have no European matches on their agenda, allowing the new manager to focus fully on domestic matters.

With rest and rotation a non-factor, then, the omens are looking good that Hazard can rediscover his spark and offer us the option of a fixture-proof, big-hitter once again.