Speaking on LadBible TV on YouTube, Joe Cole has been naming the best XI made up of players he’s played alongside.
Cole had a storied career that saw him brush shoulders with some all-time greats such as Arjen Robben, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba – all players that made this team.
However, interestingly, Cole says that the best player he ever shared the pitch with was current Aston Villa target, Eden Hazard.
Indeed, the pundit says that although Hazard was only young when they played together at Lille, he is the best footballer he’s ever worked with.
Cole lauds Hazard
The former England star named Hazard in his ultimate team.
“I think I will go with Eden Hazard off the left. I played with him at Lille. What a player. I would go as far as to say he’s the best player I’ve played with. Unbelievable and he’s a kid. He never trained properly, and the manager left him out of the team once and then he trained properly that day, we did 11-a-side and he scored four goals and scored the best goal I’ve ever seen,” Cole said.
What a player
It’s easy to forget after a tough few years at Real Madrid, but Eden Hazard was genuinely one of the best players in the world for quite some time.
When he came through at Lille he took Ligue 1 by storm, and then at Chelsea he hit a whole other level.
A two-time PFA Player of the Year, Hazard made a mockery of Premier League defences on a weekly basis, and while he may have declined since, there is still some magic in those boots.
Aston Villa are said to be keen, and if he were to return to the Premier League, we’re sure he’d still be an utter joy to watch.
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