Chelsea icon Eden Hazard has singled out his most underrated teammate from a glittering career that spanned top clubs and international duty. The Belgian superstar, who retired in 2023 at age 35 after stints with Chelsea, Real Madrid, and the Belgian national team, highlighted a fellow countryman who he believes never received the acclaim he deserved.
Hazard's Stellar Career and Underrated Pick
During his time at Chelsea, Hazard played alongside legends like Frank Lampard, John Terry, and Cesc Fabregas, while at Real Madrid, he shared the pitch with stars such as Vinicius Jr, Karim Benzema, and Sergio Ramos. His international career featured talents like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. However, Hazard feels that one player, Mousa Dembele, often flew under the radar despite his exceptional abilities.
Why Dembele Stands Out
In an interview with The Guardian, Hazard explained his choice. 'I always thought Mousa Dembele was one of the best midfielders of that generation,' he said. 'People didn’t talk about him much because he didn’t score goals, but the fans in the Premier League know he was a top, top player.' Dembele, who played for Tottenham and Fulham, won only one league title with AZ in the Netherlands but was highly regarded by those who worked closely with him.
Former Fulham manager Martin Jol echoed this sentiment, making a bold claim about Dembele's skills. 'Dembele is probably the best player on the ball I’ve ever seen, and we lost him,' Jol stated after the midfielder's move to Spurs. Hazard emphasized that while other teammates received due credit, Dembele's lack of goal-scoring overshadowed his world-class midfield prowess.
Hazard's Reflections and Anecdotes
Now retired and focusing on family life as a father of five, Hazard described himself as 'more of a taxi driver' these days. He also shared a humorous yet telling story from his time under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. 'I remember once, during the first year Mourinho arrived, I went to Lille to watch a game and lost my passport on the way back,' Hazard recalled. 'I wasn’t allowed back into England and missed training. I returned around 2pm. When the session was over, I had to apologise to him. It was a really bad moment for me.'
Despite this mishap, Hazard was back in the team by the weekend, showcasing the resilience that defined his career. His reflections offer a glimpse into the camaraderie and challenges of professional football, underscoring why players like Dembele left a lasting impression on him.
