Newcastle stat proves Eddie Howe dark art tactic has unlocked Thomas Tuchel his own Eden Hazard

Chelsea may just have found their Eden Hazard replacement.

Now, I do not mean someone who has quick feet and his vast locker of skills, but someone who's a target for the opposition. Hakim Ziyech, come and claim the throne.

Chelsea took on Newcastle over the weekend and was fortunate enough to take the three points. It started as another one of those games where the Blues would fail to get across the finish line. Albeit, Newcastle had put on an absolutely dangerous performance. They looked a shadow of the team that they once were earlier in the season. Their take-over has clearly given them new energy, and it tampered with Chelsea's performance.

The Magpies gave the Blues a good game, bringing back nostalgic moments through Ziyech.

The Hazard era gave Chelsea fans many memories. He was once the most fouled player in the Premier League. He had a notorious reputation for being at the brunt end of the stick, or should I say boot. According to Opta, in 2019, Eden Hazard was the most fouled player ever, ahead of Lionel Messi and Neymar. He had won 1030 fouls during that decade, hundreds more than any other player.

It took a while for referees to notice that he was a target for many Premier League defenders. Heck, his current injury record is probably a result of his years in England.

An accumulation of fouls rendered the Belgian magician incapable of fulfilling his dream at Real Madrid. Now I fear for the Moroccan wizard.

We all know how frustrating it is to watch your player be fouled on several occasions but fail to receive protection from the referee. Ziyech won a total of four fouls against Newcastle. Watching the match back, it should have been more. Each occasion had the men in black and white nibbling at his ankle,