Chelsea: Eden Hazard Report Card for the 2012-13 Season so Far

Eden Hazard's signing this summer represented a major coup for the European champions, as the player himself had revealed that their triumph in Munich, just months earlier, was pivotal to capturing his signature.

Signed for £32 million from French side Lille, the 21-year-old was pursued also by Manchester United and Manchester City and could wind up being a future world player of the year for Chelsea.

With the drama that surrounded his signing, it was only natural that there would be huge expectations and pressure on the player to perform.

Here I assess how Hazard has done in his short Chelsea career so far, breaking down each and every game in an action-packed season for the Blues.

August Grade: A

Manchester City (Community Shield), 2-3: C+

Always demanded the ball, despite an embarrassing trick that went wrong, but failed to produce an end product.

Wigan Athletic (Premier League), 2-0: A+

Wonderful league debut for the Belgian, providing Branislav Ivanovic's goal on a plate and winning the penalty that Frank Lampard dispatched.

Reading (Premier League), 4-2: A+

Another magnificent performance as Hazard single-handedly brings Chelsea from the brink to win 4-2 against newly promoted Reading. Adds two more assists to his tally.

Newcastle (Premier League), 2-0: A

Lays on an assist for Fernando Torres with a brilliant back heel and then scores his first goal for the Blues with a penalty.

Atletico Madrid (UEFA Super Cup), 1-4: C-

Struggles throughout, as do the rest of the team. One to forget.

September Grade: B-

QPR (Premier League), 0-0: C-

Again, lively on the ball and always likely to be a threat, but missed a glorious chance to win it at the death.

Juventus (UEFA Champions League), 2-2: B-

Irresistible when Chelsea had their tails up and was at the heart of all their good work, but as Juve got a foothold in the game, he went quiet, especially in the dying moments when Juve might have won it. Assisted Oscar's first goal, before the Brazilian's blockbuster second.

Stoke City (Premier League), 1-0: C

Neat and tidy on the ball, but impact was limited. Subbed after an hour.

Wolves (League Cup), 6-0: n/a

Subbed in with 12 minutes to go when the game was won comfortably and just kept possession.

Arsenal (Premier League), 2-1: B-

Some flashes of brilliance when on the ball with his silky dribbling and pinned back Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson, depending on what wing he fancied operating from.

October Grade: A-

Nordsjælland (UEFA Champions League), 4-0: C

Subbed in with 25 minutes remaining and did very little to impress.

Norwich (Premier League), 4-1: A

Scored an excellent goal and displayed some gorgeous play along with Juan Mata, with whom he has instantly struck up a telepathic relationship.

Tottenham (Premier League), 4-2: B+

A real problem for Spurs all afternoon, causing Kyle Walker all sorts of trouble. Assisted Mata's second goal.

Shakhtar (UEFA Champions League), 1-2: C-

Came on for the injured Frank Lampard and was forced deep where he could not change the flow of the game in Chelsea's favour.

Manchester United (Premier League), 2-3: B

A real thorn in United's side with some slalom runs and close control that toyed with Rafael all game. Substituted due to Chelsea going down to nine men.

Manchester United (League Cup), 5-4: A+

Came on in the second half and was sublime. Tucked away a penalty with nerves of steel, gently pushing the ball down the middle and sending Anders Lindegaard the wrong way. Also made one of the best assists you will ever see for Ramires to end the game and make it 5-3.

November Grade: C

Swansea City (Premier League), 1-1: B-

Chelsea's best player. Came in from the wing to good effect, forcing Gerhard Tremmel into a good save from a free kick too.

Shakhtar (UEFA Champions League), 3-2: C+

Some nice movement and link-up play with the other forwards, but never really penetrated the Shakhtar back line.

Liverpool (Premier League), 1-1: C+

Set up Oscar with a good chance with some nice vision, but wasted several half-chances himself, often snatching at the opportunities.

West Brom (Premier League), 1-2: B

Usual lively movement with the ball and popped up with a rare goal with his head.

Juventus (UEFA Champions League), 0-3: C+

Perhaps the best of a bad bunch, lively link-up play as a false nine and forced Gianluigi Buffon into one of the only saves he had to make with a fierce shot, although he might have expected to score.

Manchester City (Premier League), 0-0: C

Struggled to consistently work the ball from the wing and surrendered possession too often in a sloppy game.

Fulham (Premier League), 0-0: C

Could not be blamed for the lack of movement and options when he had possession as the Blues struggled for rhythm.

December Grade: A

West Ham (Premier League), 1-3: C-

Was lively in the first half as Chelsea dominated, linking well in and around the area with his quick feet, but during the second half he went missing as the Blues surrendered.

Nordsjælland (UEFA Champions League), 6-1: A-

Missed a penalty, but was a constant threat and always able to dribble in behind the Danish defence, supplying Torres with an assist by darting to the byline and cutting the ball back.

Sunderland (Premier League), 3-1: A

Ripped Phil Bardsley to pieces, provided a lovely ball for Torres' opener and should have had a penalty too. Great game.

Monterrey (FIFA Club World Cup), 3-1: A

Assisted Torres again with a fine pass and gave Sergio Perez a torrid time throughout.

Corinthians (FIFA Club World Cup), 0-1: C+

Some nice touches and control in the midfield and forced Cassio into a fine save. Was not able to make that telling contribution though.

Leeds United (League Cup), 5-1: A

Unselfishly provided Torres with an easy goal and cooly slotted home his own to cap a fine performance.

Aston Villa (Premier League), 8-0: B+

Scored a brilliant goal, poise and the calmness inside the area to work the space and rifle home a finish in the rout.

Conclusion: B+

Eden Hazard has shown us plenty of signs to convince us that he will reach his potential with the Blues and become one of the best players in the world.

The Belgian displays exceptional technique, close control and plenty of slalom dribbles to drive defenders insane.

Hazard has provided 11 assists and scored six goals, which is a decent return in the first six months of his career with the Blues.

I would like Hazard to take more responsibility in the big games and be decisive when the Blues are in need of some inspirations. He is certainly capable.

Overall we have to be satisfied with how Hazard has progressed with Chelsea; certainly he has done enough to show us why Chelsea paid £32 million for his signature.

The coming months will be fascinating to see how he progresses and whether he can become a decisive figure in the Blues lineup, as he has great competition with Juan Mata, Oscar and even Victor Moses looking to be the inspiration behind Fernando Torres.