Chelsea have sent out over twenty five different players on loans deals this year. A mix of youth team and senior players look to go out and make an impression to spark their Chelsea careers. As Chelsea have the power to spend big and revamp their squad at ease, chances for fringe and youth team players can be restricted. The loan market is something Chelsea have used heavily over recent years when offloading players. Allowing teams to get a ‘try before you buy’ experience or showcasing our array of fantastically talented young players in attempts to expose them to first team football.
Out of the various young players that are out on loan, one player stands out for lots of Chelsea fans. One player that many are already excited about seeing in a Chelsea shirt. That player is Thorgan Hazard, the younger brother Eden Hazard. A statement he would have heard all too many times in his career. Similarly to Eden, Thorgan is an attacking midfielder, who is comfortable playing on the wings and through the middle behind the striker. A technically gifted player who can pick a pass too.
Thorgan signed for Chelsea from French side Lens back in 2012 when he was just 19. Just a month after Eden Hazard joined from Lille for a massive £32 million. Despite only making fourteen first team appearances at Lens, Chelsea saw talent and he joined with a view to being loaned out to continue his development. Thorgan is yet to make a first team appearance for Chelsea as he was immediately loaned out to Belgian side, Zulte Waregem. From 2012 through to 2014 Thorgan spent his time playing Zulte Waregem. He made 73 appearances for the Belgian side, accumulating a total of 27 assists. On top of the assists he managed to score 19 goals over the two years.
It was at this point, where he started to catch the eye of more and more fans. He earned his first international cap in 2013 and was on the reserve list of players for the 2014 World Cup squad. In January 2014, he was awarded the ‘Belgian Golden Shoe’ an award for the best footballer in the Belgian Pro League. It seemed like Thorgan was developing well and starting to shrug off the label of being the younger brother of Eden Hazard, who at the same time was setting the Premier League alight for Chelsea in his first two seasons in the Premier League.
In 2014, Thorgan’s future was a hot topic of discussion. On whether or not he would get a chance in the Chelsea first team on the back of two successful loan seasons in Belgium. After much debate it became clear that Hazard would be heading out on third successive loan. This time, to the Bundesliga to play for Borussia Monchengladbach. Currently this season Hazard has impressed whilst playing in the Bundesliga, in fifteen appearances he has scored one goal and created four assists.
Since joining Chelsea, Thorgan has made it clear of his aspirations to play for Chelsea alongside his brother, Eden. With the likes of Andre Schurrle constantly being linked with a return to Germany and Mohamed Salah failing to settle in England, many are suggesting that Thorgan Hazard could be the man to fill the gap left should one of them move on.
From the outside, this does not look like just another Chelsea loan deal. It does not look like a young player we look to get on the cheap and sell on for millions in a few years, likes of Kevin De Bruyne spring to mind. Both Mourinho and Chelsea seem to taking the development of Thorgan much more serious. This shows as they have sent him to a well-established team in a very strong division. With all due respect to Zulte Waregem, Thorgan is now involved in a much stronger team which will have only aided his development.
It would be great for the fans and the two brothers of course to see Thorgan playing alongside Eden for Chelsea. Not that Mourinho is one for sentimental touches, but he must see potential in Thorgan. I, like many Chelsea fans will be hoping to see him involved with the first team next season. Fan have feared if he is sent out on another loan, despite rumours of Hazard extending his loan deal with Monchengladbach, he may look for a permanent deal elsewhere. Thorgan Hazard has spoken of both his desire to both extend his stay at Gladbach as well as a return to Chelsea.
By the time the 2015-2016 campaign kicks off, Thorgan will be 22 years of age. It will be a great time and opportunity for him to follow in the footsteps of his brother, but also a chance to establish himself in the Chelsea and Belgium side as himself. Not the younger brother of.
