The triptych of John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba will forever be intrinsic to the memory of the early 21st Century Roman-renaissance and enormous successes that Chelsea experienced but former fan favourite Joe Cole, back at his old club he spent seven years in the capacity of youth team coach, has proposed his own contender for the Blues’ best ever player.
Eden Hazard is Cole’s choice for the accolade in a fresh interview with The Daily Mirror.
“I said when he signed that he would be the greatest player the club has ever had and I still stand by that. I still believe that,” Cole told the publication.
“My team-mates and my colleagues have been amazing but Eden is the best player I've ever worked with.
“When you look at what he's done in the short space of time that he's been there. He's been an unbelievable player. I think he's the best player in the league and I think he's a top, top player and it's important the club keep hold of him.”
Hazard arrived at Stamford Bridge from Lille in 2012, widely tipped to be the best player of his generation. It was at the Ligue 1 side in Cole’s single season on loan at Les Dogues in France that he first cast eyes on the magisterial winger.
“I played with him when I was at Lille and he was being courted by all the top clubs in Europe and Harry Redknapp was talking to me about him because Tottenham wanted him. Everyone wanted him - Man United, Man City and I just felt Chelsea was the right home for him.”
I told him if he wanted to win trophies which he has done and develop as a player. London is close to Belgium on the Eurostar, I felt it was the right fit and I knew the fans would love him.”
They certainly do, and they’ll be more than a few tears shed if the rumours come into fruition at Hazard leaves for Real Madrid - maybe using that Eurostar - in the summer.
