Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel recently shared his impressions of former teammate Eden Hazard, now at Real Madrid, in an interview with beIN Sport. The Nigerian defensive midfielder praised Hazard’s extraordinary talent on the pitch while candidly discussing his attitude during training sessions at Chelsea.
According to Obi Mikel, Hazard was one of the laziest players he ever trained alongside. “Hazard has incredible talent. Maybe not as good as Messi, but he can do whatever he wants with the ball at his feet,” Obi Mikel said, emphasizing the Belgian’s natural ability and creativity. Despite his relaxed approach in practice, Hazard consistently delivered exceptional performances during matches, making him a key figure for Chelsea on game days.
Obi Mikel recalled that during training, Hazard often avoided intense drills, waiting for others to finish before joining in. “He didn’t like to train hard. While we were working, he would wait for us to finish training while just standing there,” he explained. However, this apparent lack of effort in training never affected Hazard’s match performances. On Sundays, he would regularly shine, dominating games and earning man-of-the-match accolades.
The midfielder’s comments highlight the contrast between Hazard’s training habits and his brilliance on the field. Obi Mikel’s reflections underline a broader truth in football: exceptional talent can sometimes compensate for a lack of discipline in practice, though maintaining consistency at the top level often requires both skill and work ethic. Hazard’s ability to perform at an elite level despite his unconventional approach to training remains a testament to his innate footballing ability and intelligence.
Obi Mikel’s insights provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Europe’s most talented players during his Chelsea years, illustrating the mix of brilliance and idiosyncrasy that made Hazard a standout performer in the Premier League.
