Read on Twitter
In honor of Pulisic becoming Chelsea's new #10 here is a thread discussing how Pulisic is the polar OPPOSITE of Hazard and will go on to be more prolific than him.
#Pulisic #Chelsea #USMNT
#Pulisic #Chelsea #USMNT
As everyone is aware of, Pulisic is Chelsea's new #10, the same number used by the Chelsea legend Hazard. But long before Pulisic was announced as the new 10, the Pulisic - Hazard comparisons were thrown everywhere. But the only similarity between the two is they both wear #10
1) Dribbling Style
The most common comparison I hear between the two is that they both dribble similarly. That is not the case whatsoever. In fact, their dribbling styles are the complete opposite. Hazard is a magician, his dribbling revolves around putting on a show.
The most common comparison I hear between the two is that they both dribble similarly. That is not the case whatsoever. In fact, their dribbling styles are the complete opposite. Hazard is a magician, his dribbling revolves around putting on a show.
Hazard dribbles North, South, East, West and every direction in between. He wanted to run circles around defenders and prove just how much better he was than them and show the world how helpless he leaves defenders. Every matchday was a new stage for him to put on new magic show.
Hazard also relies a lot on his extremely high balance combined with his low center of gravity and stockier body frame. He is a master of getting the most of his body frame and balance to hold off bigger, faster or stronger defenders. Almost impossible to take ball from him.
Pulisic on the other hand is an assassin. He isn't interested in getting to Point A to Point B in the prettiest way, he is only interested in the fastest way from Point A to B. For him it is a matter of what is the fastest and most effective way of murdering a defender.
Pulisic brings a very American style and concept to the way he plays football. Being an American and growing up watching and playing basketball, you can see that influence in every aspect of his game. Basketball is all about no wasted movement.
You are taught in basketball to dribble right off the shoulder of a defender. You want to graze the defender's shoulder when you go past him to give him no ability or space to be able to turn around and recover. You can clearly see this influence in Puli's dribbling style.
For Pulisic, there is no East or West it is only North and South. His whole dribbling philosophy is based on this concept. A product of being born and raised in the US and being exposed to all these different sports and adapting them to soccer.
2) Selfish
The other reason why Pulisic's game is nothing like Hazard's is his selfishness. In their debut seasons, Hazard averaged 2.07 shots per match, while Pulisic averaged 3.12. As well as averaging 0.42 goals per 90 compared to Hazard's 0.26. Pulisic is more selfish.
The other reason why Pulisic's game is nothing like Hazard's is his selfishness. In their debut seasons, Hazard averaged 2.07 shots per match, while Pulisic averaged 3.12. As well as averaging 0.42 goals per 90 compared to Hazard's 0.26. Pulisic is more selfish.
Keep in mind, Hazard played in 28 more matches than Puli did in his debut season, also that he averaged 0.40 assists per 90 compared to Puli's 0.27. Almost a complete flips of their goal and assist stats. Just proving more how polar opposite their playing styles are.
Hazard's biggest criticism was that he wasn't selfish enough. That what held him back from being a consistent, prolific goal scorer. Hazard wants to set his team up for goals, Pulisic wants to score the goals himself. This is why Pulisic will be a more prolific goalscorer.
Pulisic at Dortmund wasn't selfish. It wasn't until he arrived at Chelsea where he embraced being selfish and has been greatly rewarded by having the best season of his life regardless of playing in a new league. As he develops more he will only score more and more goals.
3) Mentality
So apart from being more direct and selfish than Hazard, their differences don't stop. Pulsic plays with a chip on his shoulder. Being an American soccer player automatically comes with a stigma of doubt towards you. Americans have to prove themselves more.
So apart from being more direct and selfish than Hazard, their differences don't stop. Pulsic plays with a chip on his shoulder. Being an American soccer player automatically comes with a stigma of doubt towards you. Americans have to prove themselves more.
Pulisic is constantly playing with this stigma in mind and because of that he has developed a mentality of "I'll prove everyone wrong." He was doubted at Dortmund and especially coming to the Prem even follow Americans were doubting his ability to strive in the Prem.
And Pulisic does what Pulisic does. Prove everyone wrong. The added weight of being a US soccer player and having to do even more to prove yourself has given Pulisic an unbreakable mental. Something he proved once again in the Prem.
He first dealt with doubt from the world, having a slow start, on top of dealing with a long term injury, and still finished having a brilliant debut season for Chelsea. His mental fortitude is so impressive, especially considering his young age of 21.
Conclusion
Pulisic and Hazard may play the same position but are polar opposites in their playing style. The comparisons between them need to stop. Fans shouldn't expect the new Hazard but rather the first Pulisic. Both of them being extremely special in their own ways.
Pulisic and Hazard may play the same position but are polar opposites in their playing style. The comparisons between them need to stop. Fans shouldn't expect the new Hazard but rather the first Pulisic. Both of them being extremely special in their own ways.
