Eden Hazard names ex-Chelsea teammate as the best he has ever played with

Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard names a strange candidate as the most talented player he has ever played with.

In a candid revelation on the Obi One Podcast with John Obi Mikel, Eden Hazard dropped a bombshell about the most talented player he's ever played alongside. 

Despite gracing the field with football royalty at Chelsea and Real Madrid, including icons like Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema, Hazard singled out a surprising figure.

 An Unexpected Talent

Hazard's pick wasn't any of the globally recognized names but Gael Kakuta, a player whose journey has been anything but ordinary. 

"In Real Madrid I play with the best player in the world. For me [Luka] Modric, [Karim] Benzema, they are top top of the list," Hazard shared. 

"When you say Kevin De Bruyne, he's top on the list, when you say [Frank] Lampard he's top of the list, Juan Mata for me was top of the list. 

“I'm gonna give you one name and John knows the player. The only one I was saying "wow" but when I stopped playing young team you know in France was Gael Kakuta."

A Career of Highs and Lows

Kakuta's move to Chelsea sparked considerable controversy, leading to a temporary FIFA ban for the player and a transfer ban for the club, both of which were later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. 

Despite these early challenges, Kakuta struggled to find his footing at Chelsea, resulting in numerous loans and limited first-team appearances before his exit in 2016.

Hazard reminisced about Kakuta's raw talent, recalling their youth encounters, "You know, I play I play against him a lot when because I used to play in Lille and he was playing in Lens...Every time we play against him, we're losing game. He's the best player. He's the best player. This is not normal."

Kakuta's journey took him back to France where he experienced a resurgence at Lens, notably becoming the club's top scorer in the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season. 

Recently, he returned to Amiens and represented DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations, demonstrating his enduring talent on the international stage.

Hazard's reflection on Kakuta's career underscores the unpredictable nature of football, where talent is abundant but success is not guaranteed. 

Kakuta's story, highlighted by Hazard's praise, is a testament to the unique paths players navigate in their careers.

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