THREAD: Bringing more credit and appreciation to Eden Hazard’s very underrated career as a Lille player. It often gets laughed away through the “farmers league” excuse, but most people don’t know that during that period, Ligue 1 was a very competitive league.

In 08/09, Eden was permanently signed as senior team player, after having impressive matches for the youth team. Eden got regularly subbed on at first, but became a starter and impressed the entire league. Eden became the first ever non-French player to win the YPOTY award.

In 09/10, things were getting better & better, as he was also impressing in the Europa League: bagging in goals, assists and impressing as always through his beautiful play. He became France’s YPOTY again, being the first ever player in France’s football history to win it twice.

In 10/11, Eden had a temporary bad spell, but quickly regained his old form and contributed heavily in important matches, leading Lille to their 1st league title in 6 decades, and their 1st double in 7 decades. He also became the youngest player to ever win France’s POTY award.

In 11/12, Eden got the nr. 10 kit number and continued to have a MONSTROUS season. Eden Hazard got 20 league goals & 18 league assists in 38 apps, being the second player since 2006 to achieve both 15 league goals & assists, after Messi. Eden also once again won the POTY award.

In conclusion, Eden Hazard is a generational talent. He became a club legend at 20 YEARS OLD and already made historic records in Lille & France, and also made historic stats alongside the likes of Lionel Messi. Goalscoring, assisting, dribbling, playmaking: he had it all.

Photos I forgot to add, from when Eden won the double together with Lille :)