Declan Rice has shared that ex-Chelsea forward, Eden Hazard, was one of his toughest opponents in the Premier League, as the West Ham star told Tubes and Ange’s Golf Life.
The newly-appointed West Ham captain added that Hazard was ‘so agile’ and ‘quick’ during his days in the Premier League.
The now-31-year-old was sold by Chelsea to Real Madrid in 2019 for a fee of £130 million (Sky Sports), but that player that used to rip it up week in and week out in England’s top-flight, looks a far cry from that player now.
Injuries have hit the Belgium international hard in Spain and he just hasn’t been able to get his engine going, including playing little part in Carlo Ancelotti helping Madrid lift the La Liga title and the Champions League last season.
Nonetheless, when Rice was talking about life in the Premier, he was asked who some of his toughest opponents were and he put Hazard’s name forward.
“Hazard, when he was in the Premier League with Chelsea,” said Rice. “I was only just starting to come into the Premier League then.
“But he was just so agile and so quick.”
RICE RISING…HAZARD FADING
When Hazard was in the Premier League, it could be argued that he was perhaps the best player in the land, not just for one season, but for a number of years.
He could even argue that he is one of the greatest players to have put on a Chelsea shirt, which is some going given the calibre of players they have had, mainly since the turn of the century.
But as far as Hazard has fallen over the years, a certain Rice has risen and become one of the best midfielders in the country.
At 23, he still has plenty of years left to go up a few notches, he is now West Ham captain, with a trophy and a top-six finish on David Moyes’ wishlist this season.
With Rice patrolling the middle of the park, then they have every chance of reaching that goal, especially if they continue to add in the summer transfer market.
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