comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)
posted 3 minutes ago
It’s more than just goals he trumps him, though. He’s a tactically more intelligent player than Hazard. What Sterling does off the ball is immensely important to the teams he plays in.

He doesn’t bring the same thrust in transition that Mane and Hazard do when they have the ball, though he’s good at running with the ball and picking out his teammates, but he’s an extremely effective player in the final third and has a huge influence on creating space for his teammates. He’s one of City’s most important players for a reason.
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Wahl is the one saying he’s better than Hazard and pointing to nothing except goals to back it up. That’s what people are arguing against.

Sterling is world class IMO. I think Hazard is a better player overall but Sterling is of course right up there now.

I don't think Sterling is better just because of goals, I was just using that as one of the reasons.

Giroud scored again tonight

Yeah Wahl’s hasn’t articulated his points that well, but I see where he’s coming from with some of it and agree with your last paragraph.

I think a lot of it just comes down to preference as well. Goals aren’t the only important thing for an attacker but they are very important. And not just on a stat sheet but in terms of the circumstances as well.

This is why it’s difficult to judge it accurately, especially without watching certain players as often as others. There has to come a point at which a player with better end product but less to their game is justifiably a better footballer than the latter. There’s no line at which point that is so we can only base it on our own preferences and perceptions.

I mean look at Ronaldo nowdays. In general he’s nowhere bear as involved as someone like Hazard, Mane or Salah but I think we’d all agree he’s the better player on the basis of how regularly he delivers, and on the biggest stage.

It’s also something which has given him the edge on Messi for quite a few years despite the latters consistent brilliance in all facets of the game.

Sometimes being less involved in games and turning up at the crucial moments trumps being more involved but not having a match winning impact, especially on the biggest stage like we’ve seen in the respective fortunes of these two the last few years in the CL.

From the moment Sterling broke into our team his footballing intelligence and positioning were there for all to see, he is a very astute footballer.

Personally I don’t think he transitions as well as either Hazard or Mane but his ability to operate effectively in several team roles is invaluable.

All that said, I think Hazard is a special footballer and the most talented of the 3. At his best he’s incredible.

I’d probably say:
Hazard
Sterling
Mane

It’s a strange one with Messi/Ronaldo as obviously Ronaldo has been making the difference in big moments more often the last few years but then Messi probably wins games on his own more often which has lead to their La Liga dominance.

When Barca were the better side Messi made the difference in big games all the time and Ronaldo not so much. Then it reversed the last few years.

They’re so close it’s stupid.

Randomer, yeah that’s something I’ve noticed too, the role reversal. Ronaldo used to be a much better footballer than he is now. He used to destroy teams on his own on the regular but that’s gone from his game bow, but he’s really stepped it up with his ability to produce in those big moments, which he always did but just not as often nor as crucial. We are blessed to have both of them. I don’t care too much for who is better, I think Messi is for the record, they should both just be admired without getting into petty brinkmanship by their fans.

Ed 100%

Hazard has insane technique. Put him in the City or Liverpool and he'd be breezing 20 goals imo. Also taking penalties is a skill and Ive never understood that argument really. It's not luck he gets to take them.

Sterling has a hunger and willingness to improve not often seen and I think he'll have a brilliant career. I've spoken about how good he is technically many times and having watched him since he was 15 and had to listen to daft people slate him regularly it's great to see him getting recognition. One of City's most important players without a doubt.

All unplayable on their day though.

Sterling’s work ethic combined with playing under Pep is some recipe.

Technique doesn't make you a great player. What you do with that technique makes you a great player. Hazard doesn't do enough with the natural abilities he has.

Numbers dont make a great player either. Look at Mario Gomez.

His numbers are good anyway, certainly considering who he plays with. The lack of other threats means teams can double up on him more easily.

Anyway yet again you've asked for peoples opinions and then just told them they're wrong even though most disagree with you. Kudos.

Numbers dont make a great player either. Look at Mario Gomez.
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Stretty would beg to differ.

That's fvcking weird Darren as I was just thinking how much like Stretty wahl is what with the love for Lukaku and articles like this.

Stretty hated Lukaku, though.

He’s a great loss. He provided so much entertainment.

Haven't told anyone they're wrong. Just been arguing my point of view.

Dunno why some people hate some players so much that they can't take anyone defending them like Lukaku and love some players so much they can't take anyone criticising them like Hazard.

His numbers are good anyway, certainly considering who he plays with. The lack of other threats means teams can double up on him more easily.
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Never stopped Suarez when he played for Liverpool. Or Bale when he played for Tottenham

But would it Sterling? Or to the point that he'd get Hazards numbers?

I think Sterling has another level in him yet anyway fwiw.

Suarez was better than Hazard and played in an attacking team that did have other threats. What gave Bale the edge was his incredible long range shooting.

I think you really underestimate how much work Hazard has to do in attack for Chelsea, your attacking options beyond him aren’t good enough, and I think they shirk responsibility because they play with Hazard. Because he’s not a ruthless goal scorer there’s only so much he can do. He’s an all rounder, who excels more at setting up team mates than scoring, but when you have teammates that can’t finish and, or, don’t have great movement him and the team suffer.

I don’t know whether he’ll have regretted or not but I don’t think moving to Chelsea has allowed him to fulfill his potential. You can make the argument that he doesn’t have the drive to be the very best, and I think you see it in some games, especially in an era of goal scoring wide man ruling the roost - but despite winning quite a few trophies I don’t think he’s played in any great teams with many great teammates, and has also suffered from a lack of coaching in many aspects of his game due to the management situations at Chelsea.

Look at Sterling for example, he’s benefited massively from working with attacking coaches and some truly great players, Hazard hasn’t had that luxury and is worse for it, in my opinion.

If Hazard had worked with Pep once leaving France I think we’d be looking at a Balon D’or contender rather than just a poty one.

If the OP is a Chelsea fan, he's clearly one of those annoying mugs who say contrarian sheite for attention.

“I think you really underestimate how much work Hazard has to do in attack for Chelsea, your attacking options beyond him aren’t good enough, and I think they shirk responsibility because they play with Hazard. Because he’s not a ruthless goal scorer there’s only so much he can do. He’s an all rounder, who excels more at setting up team mates than scoring, but when you have teammates that can’t finish and, or, don’t have great movement him and the team suffer.”

this exactly. Apart from Costa we haven’t had enough quality around him up front, and we have lacked creativity from midfield as well since Fabregas declined so he’s been doing two jobs at times really. That plus playing under more defensive minded managers for the majority of his time here will obviously affect his output.

There’s only so much one player can do as you say. Quite silly that a Utd fan has a better grasp of Hazard’s situation at Chelsea than a Chelsea fan.

I love all 3 and find it hard to rank them. All great players to watch when on it

A wild Andy appears

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