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There has been a lot written about Eden Hazard recently - stories about his inflated ego, huge wage demands and fans across the country asking if he is worth all the trouble.

On the last day of the French Ligue 1 season, as PSG and Montpellier were fighting it out for the right to be champions, the city of Lille came to a standstill as 18,000 fans packed into the Stade Lille Metropole to pay their respects.

First of all to the stadium that they have called home since 2004 and to a player that many are now calling Lille’s greatest ever.

The young Belgian did not disappoint on his grand finale, completing his first ever hat-trick against Nancy before the half-time whistle brought a carnival atmosphere to the stadium as Hazard signed off with a wonderful last performance in a Lille shirt.

If you were to ask any of the 18,000 fans that rose to give him a standing ovation if Hazard was worth all the effort, every one of them would respond enthusiastically, Oui!

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Anyone that has spent the last few years watching the 21-year old develop will agree that he is the real deal.

He has improved his speed across the ground and built up his frame that has seen him play over 100 consecutive games for Lille while being the most fouled player in Europe’s top divisions.

He possesses a lightning change of pace that can go from a standstill to blowing past defenders with ease and then leaving them for dust.

Comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not far off when you witness his close control and ability to quickly change direction while keeping the ball on a tight leash.

Over the past few years he has added being a dead-ball specialist to his repertoire and is comfortable unleashing shots with both feet.

In the past 12 months Lille lost Yohan Cabaye, Gervinho and Moussa Sow from their starting line-up, but instead of sulking about his missing team-mates, Hazard stepped up a gear and took the French champions by the scruff of the neck.

On the way to the French title last season the forward managed seven goals and 10 assists, but this season Hazard joined Messi as the only two players to achieve 15 goals and 15 assists - Hazard actually managed 20 goals, to be precise.

(Image: Getty)

During Lille’s last two seasons some have questioned Hazard’s ability to make a difference in the big games, but as the season came to a close his performance against Paris Saint-Germain answered any of his critics.

After going a goal behind Hazard became the catalyst in his side’s come back and set up the winning goal with an audacious piece of skill, cutting inside from the right wing, instead of crossing with his left-foot he performed what is known as a rabona, bringing his right-foot behind his left and placing the ball right on striker Tulio de Melo’s head for Lille’s second - and winning - goal.

To a one-off observer it could come across as arrogant, to Ligue 1 fans it was an amazingly talented player, confident of his abilities pulling off a wonderful piece of skill.

It also signalled that Hazard is ready to leave French shores and step up to the next challenge.

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Hazard made his intentions clear that England was his preferred destination and now he has to decide on which of the Premier League’s top clubs would he like to move to.

All the suitors have both positives and negatives as to why he would benefit from making them his next club.

Sir Alex Ferguson has watched in person as Hazard played against Lyon a few months ago and has also had his brother run the rule over his abilities.

At only 21 Hazard is still a rough-diamond and there is little doubt that there are not many managers better experienced to bring the best of the forward than Fergie.

Under his guidance Hazard could become one of the best players in the world.

"I am pleased to be able to play in my best position behind the striker, as a no.10, with Belgium."

The latest of many quotes to come from the player make it clear of the position he would like to play.

This is where it could become an issue to see him playing at Old Trafford.

The role he filled at Lille was very much a free-role, very similar to the role Wayne Rooney currently fills.

Hazard has no fixed position, he drifts wide, drops deep, and basically goes wherever the space is and makes things happen.

Having both Rooney and Hazard in the same side would be possible but only at the expense of the traditional width that United have become famous for under Sir Alex.

Across the city, width is something the English Champions have lacked too often and under Roberto Mancini you could easily see the player slip straight into City’s 4-2-2-2 formation and with the freedom of the pitch to express himself, combining with David Silva, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero would have Premier League defences trembling with fear.

One concern that has worried Hazard for a few months is the amount of playing time he would be given under Mancini.

He has never found himself as a bench player since breaking through at Lille, he doesn’t want to start now.

(Image: Getty)

The tussle for Hazard’s signature looked like a straight fight between the two Manchester clubs, but that was until Chelsea defied the odds and became Champions of Europe.

One of Hazard's stipulations was always that he wanted to continue to play in the Champions League, so Chelsea’s success puts them right back in the race.

If Chelsea were to stick with Roberto Di Matteo then you could see exactly where the Belgian would fit in.

Playing with three attackers behind a front-man is ideal for the young playmaker.

Hazard playing centrally with Juan Mata and Marko Marin either side would make for a very exciting trio with intelligent movement and mind-blowing options.

The quicker Chelsea decide who will be in charge or the new season, the better a position they will be in to secure Hazard’s signature.

Next week Hazard will be in London as his country takes on England at Wembley Stadium.

It will be a chance for fans from all three clubs to get an up close and personal look at the player and it will give the player a chance to speak to his perspective suitors.

Along the way it seems that this move has already become a saga and Hazard is being made out to be this cocky teenager who is more trouble than he’s worth. But in truth he is a very smart young man.

Back when he was 18, when he was asked about moving to a bigger team, he advised that if all he was interested in was moving to a big name team, he would have moved already. Hazard wants this move to be the right one.

Whenever he makes his decision and whoever he decides to pick, they are getting one of the world’s most exciting footballing talents.

Is he worth it? Come the new season, be it Manchester or London, fans will get to see first-hand what all the hype is about.

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Follow Andrew Gibney on Twitter @AGibneyFtbl

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