Eden Hazard joins Chelsea: what those in the know from Sir Alex Ferguson to Joe Cole are saying about him
Eden Hazard announced on Monday night that he is joining Chelsea: here is what those who know better than most, from Sir Alex Ferguson to Arsène Wenger to Joe Cole, are saying about the European Champions’ new forward.
“I’ve probably put about £5m on his transfer with the amount of things I’ve said about him. He’s got everything. He’ll maybe become one of the best players in the world.”
Joe Cole, Hazard’s team-mate at Lille last season
“Hazard is a very good player. He has many qualities. He is particularly rapid in the first 10 yards.”
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
“He can play in any top team in the world, today or tomorrow.”
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany
“His creative ability, his talent for unbalancing opponents, his vision of the game, and his consummate skill in making the final pass all make him an in-demand player.”
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger
“Eden is technically gifted and very fast. I would take him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed. He can become a great footballer, he is a star of the future”.
Real Madrid director of football and former France international Zinedine Zidane
“Faster than Zidane, more technique than Thierry Henry.”
Former France international Christophe Dugarry
“At times he looks like Lionel Messi.”
Former Marseilles manager Rolland Courbis
“It was immediately obvious he was a special talent. I still remember his first game against FC Bruges. As soon as I sent him on, he left four or five players in his wake and scored an amazing goal.”
Claude Puel, Lille’s manager from 2002 to 2008
“I have seen him several times. But I know Manchester United are also following him very closely. City, too. It will be difficult to sign him. But I love him.”
Harry Redknapp T*ttenham manager
“Hazard is a diamond but he needs to be polished by the right jeweller.”
Emmanuel Petit, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder