Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has revealed the toughest opponent he ever faced during his seven years in the Premier League.
The Belgian star left England for Real Madrid in 2019 in a deal worth over £100m after his spell in London in which he won two Premier League titles and two Europa League as well as the FA Cup and League Cup.
It has not gone to plan so far in Madrid though, with Hazard vilified by some club fans and the Spanish media for his poor form and struggles with injury and fitness. The 31-year-old has only six goals in 66 games for the club.
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez claimed in November that Hazard was ‘sad’ at Real and this summer he has been linked with Arsenal and Newcastle as well as Chelsea, but Hazard is determined to prove his worth at the Bernabeu.
He addressed Madrid supporters after their Champions League triumph last season, telling them: ‘I’ve been here for three years with many injuries… Next year I’m going to give it all for you.’
Ruben Loftus-Cheek recently spoke about Hazard’s legacy at Chelsea, saying: ‘It was unbelievable watching him first hand in his prime, just the way he played was so effortless.’
When quizzed who was the toughest opponent he faced during his 352 appearances at Chelsea, Hazard told ESPN: ‘Kyle Walker. He’s strong, he’s fast.
‘I’m strong and fast, but he’s stronger and faster than me! As a right-back, he’s one of the best [in the world] at the moment.’
England international right-back Kyle Walker plays for Premier League champions Manchester City, where he has won four Premier League titles since he moved to the Etihad from Tottenham in 2017.
The 32-year-old defender has also won four League Cups, the FA Cup and was a runner-up at both Euro 2020 and in the 2020-21 Champions League.
