LIGUE 1 / LILLE: KALOU, THE DIFFICULT SUCCESSION OF HAZARD
Lille has opted for experience in the form of Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou to fill the void left by the departure of rising star Eden Hazard to Chelsea for 40 million euros. At 25 years old, and standing at 1.86 meters and weighing 77 kilograms, Kalou faces the challenge of stepping into Hazard’s shoes, a two-time best player in Ligue 1 and a promising future star in European football.
During the press conference introducing the player, coach Rudi Garcia addressed any doubts about Kalou’s ability to fill Hazard’s shoes by citing the successful transition from Gervinho to Dimitri Payet the previous year. President Michel Seydoux emphasized that Kalou fits the profile sought by the coach, and the success of the season would hinge on Kalou’s ability to score 10 or 12 goals.
Despite his impressive resume, including winning the Champions League with Chelsea, Kalou remains humble about his role at Lille. He downplayed the idea of replacing Hazard directly, acknowledging Hazard’s importance to the club. Kalou stated, “Hazard has been an important player for the club, and there is no question for me of replacing him or anyone else for that matter.” Lille’s captain, Rio Mavuba, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Hazard is irreplaceable but expressing confidence that Kalou would bring a different dimension to the team.
Having achieved success at Eindhoven and enjoyed a trophy-laden career with Chelsea under notable managers such as Mourinho, Ancelotti, Scolari, and Di Matteo, Kalou brings a wealth of experience to his new challenge in Ligue 1. While recognizing the unique qualities of Hazard, Mavuba believes that Kalou will contribute something different to the team. The Ivorian striker, also a friend of Gervinho, is poised to prove his worth and make a positive impact on Lille’s upcoming season.
