Joe Cole has claimed that former Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard possessed the same natural talent as Lionel Messi but lacked the motivation to reach the same heights. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Cole described Hazard as a 'genius' and the best player he ever played with.
Cole's High Praise for Hazard
'I got to play with Eden Hazard, who I think is the best player I ever played with,' Cole said. 'He was a genius. I played with some great players but he was at another level.' However, Cole noted that Hazard's mentality set him apart from the Argentine superstar. 'If he had the mentality… all footballers are very competitive, you've all got that fire in you. He wasn't like that.'
Cole recalled Hazard's lack of enthusiasm in training: 'He didn't like training, it was a struggle. Sometimes you had to remind him, “we've got a game now”. In the dressing room he'd just be in his own world.'
Hazard's Chelsea Legacy
Hazard joined Chelsea in 2012, partly on Cole's recommendation, and became one of the club's greatest players. In seven years at Stamford Bridge, he scored 110 goals and provided 92 assists, winning two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. He also captained Belgium's 'golden generation' to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
Decline After Chelsea
Hazard's move to Real Madrid in 2019 for a then-club record £102 million marked a downturn. He arrived out of shape and suffered persistent injuries, making only 30 La Liga starts in four seasons. He retired at age 31 after Belgium's group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.
Could Hazard Have Been an All-Time Great?
Asked if Hazard could have been an all-time great with proper application, Cole responded: 'Absolutely. I think he's Messi without the drive. Messi's got the drive. Some of the things he did with the ball on a day-to-day. I've been lucky to have played with some great players [but] he was the best.'
