A fiery London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea at Wembley potentially awaits when the Premier League returns this weekend in a match that will boast a host of attacking talent.
From a Tottenham perspective, on top of the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, Lucas Moura will be expected to get the nod from Mauricio Pochettino having started the season so well.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard, fully recovered from his back injury, is the first name on Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea team-sheet and a very capable match-winner.
With that in mind, how do the two forwards compare?
Lucas Moura
After a slow start to life at Tottenham following his move from Paris Saint-Germain in January, Lucas has really come alive this season.
Under Pochettino, Tottenham have become such a strong team, but one thing they have severely lacked in attack is pace.
However, the addition of Lucas has given them that and has made them an even more dangerous outfit.
Be it on the left or right flank, the Brazilian has both the pace and dribbling ability to get past an opposition defender before arriving in a dangerous area of the pitch where he can then fire a shot towards goal or slip in a team-mate.
Tottenham’s failure to sign a single player in the recent transfer window was well-documented, but the impact Lucas has made this term will have Pochettino feeling like he has a brand new option for his forward line.
TT Grade: B
Eden Hazard
Hazard has tailed off in the last couple of appearances he has made for Chelsea, largely due to the back injury he picked up after taking a battering against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, but the brilliant Belgian has still been in great form this season.
In 11 Premier League games, Hazard has 11 direct goal involvements, a number indicating just how crucial he is to Chelsea’s attacking play.
The Belgium captain, however, brings so much more than just numbers. His presence alone is enough to do damage with opposition midfielders and defenders often being drawn towards to him as soon as he receives the ball, leaving gigantic spaces elsewhere on the pitch that his team-mates can exploit.
An incredible dribbler of the ball, Hazard is also an exceptional passer, something that does tend to go unnoticed and, overall, a truly world-class forward.
TT Grade: A*
TT Verdict:
Lucas has been very impressive so far this season; his performance in his side’s 3-0 win over Manchester United back in August is probably one of the best individual displays from a Tottenham player in years.
The Brazil international, however, will have to do a lot more if he is to stand among the Premier League elite alongside a player such as Hazard.
Bar his dreadful 2015/16 campaign, the Chelsea man has been a largely consistent performer who has led his side to league titles and cup triumphs with his ability in front of goal and in the attacking third as a whole.
Arguably the Premier League’s best player, Hazard comes out on top in this battle — and by some distance.
