Eden Hazard, reflecting on his illustrious football career, surprised many by naming Gael Kakuta as the most talented player he’s played with.
Despite sharing the field with stars like Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, and Kevin De Bruyne, Hazard emphasized Kakuta’s exceptional talent, recalling moments from their early days in France.
“But I’m going to give you one name, and John knows the player. The only one where I was saying ‘wow’ when I started playing for a young team in France. It was Gael Kakuta.”
Explaining the reasoning behind picking the former Chelsea winger, Hazard said: “You asked me about talent. Talent, Kakuta by far, no.1. Talent, I mean talent, wow!”
“He was really good, really good,” Mikel said, agreeing with his former teammate. “I think for some reason he didn’t get the opportunity at Chelsea.”
Hazard continued: “You know I played against him a lot because I used to play at Lille. He was playing in Lens. In the north of France, that’s a derby.
“Me being me, we used to win every game, 5-0, 6-0, me being best player ever time. Then we play against him – we’re losing [the] game! He’s the best player? What?! That’s not normal.”
The former Chelsea winger, now 32, joined the club’s academy in 2007, showcasing promise but facing challenges, including a double ankle fracture.
Despite a contract extension until 2015, Kakuta spent much of his time on loan before a permanent move to Sevilla in 2015.
Hazard suggested that Kakuta might have made the move to Chelsea too early at the age of 16, facing the significant challenge of adapting to top-level football.
Now playing for Ligue 2 side Amiens SC and representing DR Congo in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Kakuta’s journey has taken various turns.
Hazard’s unexpected acknowledgement sheds light on the complexities and uncertainties players face in their careers, with talent sometimes not getting the chance it deserves.
Despite the challenges, Kakuta continues to contribute to the pitch, showcasing resilience and determination in his football journey.
