Wales have made a fine start to their Group B campaign but face their toughest test on Sunday when they travel to Brussels to take on Belgium. Will Eden Hazard or Gareth Bale prevail? It’s time to compare the two…
Thursday 13 November 2014 13:24, UK
Paper talk this week floated the notion that Real Madrid could be prepared to sell Gareth Bale to Manchester United if they can secure the signing of Eden Hazard. As Belgium prepare to host Wales in a European Qualifier on Sunday, it has fuelled the debate about the two men.
Hazard himself suggested that he was not among the best five players in the world right now. “I'm not a top-five player yet,” he said last month. “Who’s better than me? The two extra-terrestrials, Ronaldo and Messi, Ibrahimovic, Ribery and Robben. They make the difference almost every game.”
Humble remarks although the implication that Bale is not among those of such elevated status might not be lost on the Welshman ahead of his trip to Brussels. Perhaps the clash between the two teams will offer a chance to decide.
While Hazard took the victory the last time the men faced each other for their countries, Bale has the medal they all crave. While Bale has the superior goalscoring record of late, Hazard is the one with time on his side. Who is the best? Here are some facts and opinions to help you decide…
Club form
According to his manager Jose Mourinho, Hazard has improved tactically and mentally during his time at Chelsea to build on his already world-class flair and dribbling skills. He was the key figure at Stamford Bridge last season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions. This year he has turned provider following the arrival of Diego Costa and his 57 successful dribbles in the Premier League mark him as the stand-out entertainer in England – no other player has completed more than 36 of them.
Replacing the more subtle skills of Mesut Ozil at the Bernabeu, Bale added further urgency to the Real Madrid attack last season and helped make them a more dynamic proposition. His recent injury problems led some in the Spanish capital to suggest Isco should be retained ahead of him, but it’s worth remembering Bale remains among the top 10 goalscorers in La Liga in 2014/15 after netting 22 times for the club in his debut season.
National heroes
Since making his international debut as a 17 year old in 2008, Hazard has amassed 50 caps for Belgium and is still only 23 years of age. He scored two times for his country en route to qualifying for last summer’s World Cup in Brazil but despite being voted man of the match against Russia he failed to truly find his best form at the tournament. Even so, Belgium’s quarter-final finish was their best since 1986 and the second best in the country’s history.
Bale has made almost 50 appearances for Wales himself and the 25-year-old would no doubt relish the opportunity to take the team to their first major tournament in over half a century. His tally of 14 international goals is more than double that of Hazard and included four in World Cup qualifying. He’s begun the European Qualifiers in similar form, netting two crucial goals to save Wales from embarrassment on an artificial pitch away to Andorra.
Trophy cabinets
Hazard tasted success early in his career thanks to his pivotal role in the rise of Rudi Garcia’s Lille team. Turning 20 midway through 2010/11, the winger won the double that season – the first time the club had got its hands on either trophy in 56 years. A Europa League triumph followed in his debut season at Chelsea, although Hazard failed to win anything in his first campaign under Mourinho. The signs are that the wait is highly unlikely to extend beyond the end of this season.
Bale did not win a senior trophy with Southampton or Tottenham but that issue was addressed in spectacular style in 2014 with Real Madrid. First he scored a brilliant solo goal against Barcelona to win the Copa del Rey Final with just five minutes to go and then he added the Champions League to his list of honours with an extra-time winner against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon. He’s already off the mark this season, winning the UEFA Super Cup in his home town of Cardiff in August.
Individual awards
Hazard is fast racking up the individual awards. He was voted French player of the year in each of his last two seasons with Lille and was still young enough to be eligible to win the PFA Young Player of the Year last season with Chelsea. Remarkably, he has now been named in his league’s team of the year in each of the last five seasons. Shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or award for the first time in 2013, he came 22nd in the voting.
Bale was in the PFA team of the year in each of his last three seasons at Spurs and cleaned up at awards time in 2012/13 when he won the PFA Player of the Year – for the second time – and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award. Following his efforts in 2013 with both Tottenham and Real Madrid, he ranked among the top 10 in the Ballon d’Or voting for the first time.
On Messi & Ronaldo
“If I had to choose, I'd say my body type and style of playing means I'm closer to Messi. Ronaldo is more of an athlete - he's good at everything. He runs fast, he's strong. So I would say I'm closer to Messi. But obviously I don't score as many goals as he does.” – Hazard quoted in Spanish paper Sport
"I know there are people saying I can develop in the same way Ronaldo did but he and Lionel Messi have set the bar where everyone wants to be. If people are thinking I can emulate whoever, then that's their opinion. All I can do is try to keep playing my best football and let my football do my talking.” – Bale quoted in the Daily Mirror last year
Those who know them
“I think there's been a big improvement. That's why we're seeing that, from a top talent, he's a fantastic player. Now we want, because his talent allows him to, to go from a top player to one of the greats of his generation.” – Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on Hazard
“I’m going to be biased, but he’s up there with some of the best players in the world because of the quality he possesses and the talent he has got. Everyone knows those two (Messi and Ronaldo) are out in front at the moment then who knows how far he can go?” – Wales team-mate Joe Allen on Bale
Watch Belgium v Wales this Sunday from 4.30pm on Sky Sports 5 HD
