Eden Hazard never looked hurried on a football pitch, and the penalty spot was no exception. The Belgian had a routine Chelsea supporters learned by heart: a smooth approach, a small stutter, then a shot rolled into the corner the goalkeeper had just left. From 12 yards he was about as close to a free goal as the Blues had.
The numbers back the reputation. Hazard converted over 85% of his spot kicks at Chelsea, and he did it in Premier League and Europa League matches where a miss would have cost points or a place in the next round.
Why the stutter worked
The stutter was the whole trick. Goalkeepers waited for him to commit, and he waited for them to commit first. Usually they lost that staring contest. It was the same calm he showed with the ball at his feet in open play, just slowed down.
There was no stress in it and no drama, even in the celebration. He made the most stressful moment in the sport look like a kickabout on a Sunday afternoon. That is why Chelsea's penalty king starts our countdown.
Tomorrow: number 23 on the list.
