In a surprising revelation, Eden Hazard recently disclosed on The Obi One Podcast that Gael Kakuta, a forgotten Chelsea flop, stands out as the most talented player he has ever had the privilege to play alongside. Despite Kakuta’s unremarkable tenure at Stamford Bridge, marred by loan spells at various clubs like Vitesse, Lazio, and Rayo Vallecano, Hazard asserts that Kakuta’s raw talent was undeniable. Hazard’s admiration for Kakuta stems from their earlier days in the French youth systems at Lille and Lens, where Kakuta consistently dazzled with his skill.
Reflecting on their encounters on the pitch, Hazard reminisced about facing Kakuta in derby matches between Lille and Lens, where Kakuta’s brilliance shone even in defeat for Hazard’s team. Despite Hazard’s team dominating other opponents, Kakuta’s exceptional abilities always made him stand out as the best player on the field. Hazard believes that Kakuta’s move to Chelsea at the tender age of 16 may have been premature, given the immense pressure and expectations associated with such a significant transition at a young age.
In highlighting Kakuta’s talent, Hazard also acknowledged other stellar players he has played with, such as Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Lampard, and Juan Mata. However, it is Kakuta’s innate talent that has left a lasting impression on Hazard, emphasizing the impact and potential that Kakuta displayed at a young age, despite his subsequent struggles to establish himself at Chelsea.
