Is Eden Hazard worth the hassle for Chelsea, City and United?‎

Sharethematch.com takes a look at the transfer speculation surrounding Lille's attacking midfielder Eden Hazard

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By Share The Match Friday 25 May 2012, 13:31 UK

Eden Hazard scored a hat-trick in his final game for Lille on SundayPhoto: Zoncr9

eden hazard

Hazard could prove more trouble than he’s worth

Eden Hazard appears to be pulling the strings when it comes to deciding his future in the Premier League.

But has the self-proclaimed Belgian puppet master got his strings all tied up?

Gone are the days where interest from Europe’s top clubs for any player was an honour and a privilege.

Nowadays the lure of money seems to outweigh the pleasure of playing for a club that most young players grew up watching and admiring.

Hazard is reportedly asking for £4.6million a year after tax – so £9million a year in salary for the club that secures his signature.

And it seems he has whittled down his choice to Manchester City, Manchester United or Chelsea.

However, it has been reported that even cash-rich City have got frustrated with the 21-year-old’s outrageous demands.

Of course he is a bright talent, but it is clear he wants to be the centre of attention wherever he goes, even declaring he wants the number ten shirt.

Do City, United or Chelsea want to sign a player who is clearly going to be a handful to manage?

His attitude oozes vanity and it would be no surprise if he was to cause unrest in the dressing room should he fail to get his way at his prospective new club.

It’s difficult to imagine the personalities of Sir Alex Ferguson and Hazard effortlessly blending together, and we are all too aware of the egos that reside in the blue half of Manchester.

But this is one of Europe’s hottest prospects having scored 20 goals from midfield this season – will his suitors cave to his demands?

Will Guardiola bow out with yet another trophy?

If the unthinkable occurs and Athletic Bilbao upset the mighty Barcelona on Friday evening in the Copa del Rey final, then Pep Guardiola will end this season trophyless.

The Catalan club have seen their domestic superiority usurped by Real Madrid, and lost out in Europe to a side who had a date with destiny so a defeat by Bilbao would cap a disappointing season.

Of course, they did win the European Super Cup and the World Club Cup but really these count as successes from the previous season.

The real question is despite Lionel Messi’s record-breaking season, why have the Catalan club missed out on a trophy thus far and what can new man Tito Vilanova do to change it next season?

And the scary answer is not much.

Their form in La Liga this year has been astonishingly good but Real have been outstanding.

And in Europe, opposition sides are beginning to work out how to beat Barça, it does not always work but José Mourinho’s Internazionale and Roberto Di Matteo’s Chelsea both played remarkably similar games in beating the reigning champions.

Vilanova will have his work cut out for him regardless of the outcome on Friday, they will win plenty of games and score loads of goals next season, but is this the beginning of the end when it comes to trophies?