no doubt hazard's a risk at £18m or whatever, but the one big difference from babel imo is that at least he actually looks like the sort of player we need in our attack. i know this sounds like being wise after the event, but was it only me who, right from the start - just by looking at youtube vids etc - thought he looked like a big powerful striker masquerading as a winger? all physical attributes and little of the technical ability we needed in a winger. sure, i've always kept my fingers crossed for him that he could do something, but never once has that initial judgement looked in doubt - outside of as a counter-attacking subsitute (which admittedly he's absolutely perfect for), it's always seemed impossible to fit him into the team.
basically, i think he was a bad signing not because he's never fulfilled his potential, but that he's another example of benitez never having the slightest clue how he was going to use a player. malouda, simao, alves, hell even quaresma and pennant, all players i could see the logic in, but babel looked a bad fit from the start.
