Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has been named PFA Player of the Year for the 2014-15 season. In the ceremony held in London on Sunday evening, the Belgian walked away with the top gong while Tottenham’s Harry Kane was named PFA Young Player of the Year. These awards are voted for by the players themselves, and this makes Hazard’s achievements a lot more special from his perspective.
This came after Chelsea’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal earlier on in the day, as the Blues closed in on the Premier League title. A dogged and determined performance at the Emirates broke the Gunner’s 9-match winning streak. This now means that Chelsea will seal the title with two more wins.
“I’m very happy,” said Hazard after winning the award. “One day I want to be the best and what I did this season is play very well, Chelsea played very well. I don’t know if I deserve to win but it is good for me.”
In a league of his own
There was little doubt among the pundits going into the night that Hazard would be the one winning the award. The other nominees included his Chelsea teammate Diego Costa, Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, Manchester United goalkeeper goalkeeper David De Gea and Spurs’ Harry Kane.
All these individuals have been brilliant this season, but Hazard’s consistency right from the start of the campaign has put him in a league of his own. The winger, who won the Young Player of the Year Award last year, has progressed by leaps and bounds and become Chelsea’s main man. His return of 13 goals and 8 assists is impressive, but it is his ability to single-handedly turn games around with a moment of magic that has been most delightful to watch this year. This factor is not reflected by statistics, but watchers will know how incredible Hazard has been.
Utter dominance
Chelsea have been top of the table since Day 1 of the Premier League this season, and are on course to win the competition with a lead of over 10 points. Their dominance was reflected by the fact that 6 of their players made the PFA Team of the Year. Defenders Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill and John Terry, along with Nemanja Matic, Hazard and Costa made the XI.
Congratulations to the Barclays @PremierLeague PFA Team of the Year! #PFAawardspic.twitter.com/OL4VulUv7T
— PFA (@PFA) April 26, 2015
Even with over 50% stake, some notable Chelsea players were missing. Cesc Fabregas, who has 16 assists to his name this season, was left out, while Cesar Azpilicueta, one of the most solid defenders in the league this season, lost out to Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand.
Chelsea’s joy continued in the women’s section, as Chelsea LFC midfielder Ji So-yun picked up the PFA Women’s Player of the Year Award.
For Eden Hazard, the sky is the limit. He is just 24 and has been acknowledged as the Premier League’s finest. At the rate he’s going, he’ll dominate English football, and of course, the PFA Awards, for a long time to come.
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