Given the size of the club and their incredible success over the last 20 years or so, some truly world-class players have represented Chelsea.
The likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba are not club legends, but icons of the Premier League as a whole.
However, one player who might not always get the full respect he deserves from rival fans, but is adored at Stamford Bridge, is Eden Hazard.
The Belgian wizard was magical to watch at his best, and in good news, it looks like Chelsea might have a player on their books who could eclipse even his time at the club, and no, it’s not Cole Palmer.
Hazard’s Chelsea career in numbers
Hazard joined Chelsea from French outfit LOSC Lille for around £32m in the summer of 2012, just a few weeks after they won their first Champions League.
It didn’t take long for the mercurial ace to settle, as he provided an assist in his first Premier League game for the club and ended the season with a sensational haul of 13 goals and 23 assists in 62 games and a Europa League medal.
It was more of the same the following year, as he racked up 25 goal involvements in 49 games for the club, although the year after that, in the 14/15 season, he transformed into an undeniably world-class superstar.
In that season, the La Louvière-born game-changer was utterly unplayable, and by the time the final game had finished, he had scored 19 goals, provided 13 assists, won the league and league cup and was named Player of the Year.
It’d be a similar story just two years later as the 34-year-old’s 21 goal involvements in 36 league games helped the West Londoners clinch another title, something they’ve not done since.
Hazard’s Chelsea career | |
|---|---|
Appearances | 352 |
Starts | 297 |
Minutes | 26967′ |
Goals | 110 |
Assists | 88 |
Goal Involvements per Match | 0.56 |
Minutes per Goal Involvement | 136.19′ |
By the time Hazard left Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, he had played 352 games for the club, in which he scored 110 goals and provided 88 assists.
It’s hard to imagine many players even coming close to such a CV, but football is forever evolving, and there is a certain youngster in Enzo Maresca’s squad who looks like he could match or exceed the Belgian’s Chelsea record.
The Chelsea gem who could eclipse Hazard
Now, there is certainly an argument to be made that Palmer could one day eclipse Hazard’s Chelsea record, but in this instance, there is another even younger talent who looks like he could do the same.
That youngster is, of course, Estevao, who finally joined the squad in the summer after being signed from Palmeiras for around £29m last summer.
The Brazilian had to wait a full year due to regulations regarding foreign players under the age of 18, but the fact that the Blues were still keen to splash the cash on him is an indication of just how highly rated he is.
In fact, while it is absurdly early, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has already made his feelings on the teenager clear, labelling him a “future Ballon d’Or winner.”
While it is likely going to be some time before the 18-year-old is seriously considered for the prestigious prize, he is already making quite the impression this season.
For example, when he came off the bench for Pedro Neto against Liverpool, the “world-class” prospect, as dubbed by scout Jacek Kulig, he helped to change the game for his side.
His constant desire to run at opposition defenders and incredible technical ability made life hell for Andy Robertson, and then, finally, thanks to his positioning, he got the winning goal late on.
However, the game against the Reds wasn’t the Franca-born gem’s first impressive display this season, as he has consistently impressed off the bench.
Moreover, when he started against West Ham United, he provided an assist for Joao Pedro.
Ultimately, Estevao might only have two goal involvements for Chelsea at the moment, but it genuinely feels like the club has a world-class player on their hands, and should he achieve what Mattinson claims he will, then he’ll also surpass Hazard’s record in blue.
