This is the start of a new series called Ligue 1 – 20 for 20 it will put 20 talented Ligue 1 players into the spotlight, one from each club. And I couldn’t think of a better way to start it all off.

If you’re looking for a goal scorer this is not your man. If it’s a player to take the game by the scruff of the neck, charge at defenders with pace and purpose making them look like rabbits in the headlights, dazzling skills and penetrating passes then look no further than Lille’s number 26, the Belgian wonderkid – Eden Hazard.

Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Year for two years running, Eden is a superb talent most people reading will surely heard his name, but perhaps you’ve not have had the delight of watching him play. After a relatively slow start to the season, the ever increasing form of Monsieur Hazard has catapulted Les Dogues up the league table, last week after a 2-1 win over Monaco saw them sit in Pole Position.

It is no wonder all the top European teams are scouting the 19 year old. After the defeats to Lyon and Marseille, Lille needed a “pick me up” and Eden was the one to stand up and lead by example, a lovely deft flick set up Moussa Sow’s goal and the Belgian completed the 3-1 win over surprise side Brest with a solo goal of his own.

Away at Caen Lille won only their second away game of the season. Hazard was the architect behind two goals of Moussa Sow’s hat-trick, an exquisite chip over the top of the Caen’s defence set up Gervinho’s shot, Sow happily mopped up the rebound.

Lille went on to win 5-2, Rudi Garcia’s men were back in the title hunt, no doubt in part to the exceptional talent of 19 year old Eden Hazard, amazing to think that at such a young age he will surely surpass the 100 game mark for the northern club this season.

During an Under-17 International Tournament there was a 30 second clip of a young Belgian player sent round several forums, the youngster received the ball at the edge of the box and with Bergkamp-like technique he spun past his man and finished with aplomb, this boy was special.

Eden caught the eye of Lille scouts while playing in a local youth tournament for Belgian side Tubize, although only 14 years old they made quick work to sign him onto a youth contract and move him to France. Quickly developing his skills it was only two years until he saw first team action.

Claude Puel promoted Eden to the first team at the tender at of 16 and although in four substitute appearances he was only on the pitch for thirty minutes the home fans knew they had something special on their hands and couldn’t wait to see more.

Known locally as a fantastic prospect it wasn’t until the following season until Hazard announced himself to the French public. 2-1 down at home to Auxerre with only two minutes to play Hazard had been on the field for quarter of an hour before he made his mark.

Lille had a corner, half cleared by Auxerre, Eden loitering outside the area saw his big moment. His first touch took the ball from under his feet and the second saw him stroke the ball past Remy Riou from 18 yards. The fans went crazy and the goal spurred Lille on to victory, with the momentum Tulio De Melo scored the winner four minutes into injury time.

Teammate Ludovic Obraniak summed up the teams feeling towards Eden:

“He’s a young player, and we didn’t expect him to be at that level so quickly, In just a handful of games, he showed the full extent of his talent.”

“He’d already shown that in training, but we weren’t sure that he would be able to reproduce it in a match. The answer was ‘yes.’”

Obraniak added: “A great career lies before him, if he’s able to get over the hurdles that he’ll encounter.”

Last season Eden managed five goals and eight assists and expectation was high again for this season but after a slow start he is now firing on all cylinders, the recent home game against Monaco saw the Belgian play one of his best games in a Lille jersey. With the game all square five minutes before half-time Hazard produced a flick that Ronaldinho in his prime would have been proud of. Pierre Alain-Frau was left to finish it off in style.

Monaco equalised and with ten minutes left it was Hazard again who sliced through Les Rogue et Blanc, showing his directness this time he combined with De Melo and cut into the box, then out of the corner of his eye he picked out Obraniak at the edge of the box, the Polish midfielder rewarded Eden by firing it past Ruffier. It was a tremendous performance from the youngster turning a potential draw into three points.

After the match he described his change in form:

“It was one of my best games, It makes me laugh that everybody is talking about me, as six weeks ago I was not playing well. It shows how quickly things can change in football.”

There is no doubt that eventually Eden will say goodbye to Lille and move on to a bigger club, the only questions that remain are when will he go? And where will he go?

With the new 50,000 seater stadium on its way every Lille fan hopes he will still be around for the grand opening and it’s obviously something that is playing on his mind too.

“If we qualify for the Champions League then that would be a major element to consider and I’d like to play in the big stadium with my club. We’ll see at the end of the season. For now, I’m taking it on a day to day basis.”

Wherever he goes, he won’t be cheap, one of the hottest prospects in Europe. He seems to have everything needed to make it at the highest level. Eden is a delightful player to watch and there is no doubt he will be a future candidate for the Ballon d’Or trophy.

There’s a reason why they call him the “Little Messi”
Thanks go to Ligue1.com for the player quotes