Football News

Eden Hazard: Real Madrid star was the laziest player at Chelsea, says John Obi Mikel

By Mohamed Moallim

Chelsea have been unable to replace Eden Hazard so far this season

Published: 16:57, 18 November 2019

John Obi Mikel has described Eden Hazard as the “laziest” player he’s played alongside at Chelsea.

The pair enjoyed four seasons together at Stamford Bridge before Mikel departed for Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Teda.

Eden Hazard no hard-worker? Five key things to know…

  • Hazard scored 110 goals in 352 appearances for Chelsea, winning both the Premier League and Europa League.
  • He is widely considered one of Europe’s most talented players…
  • …and only Lionel Messi has completed more dribbles since Opta records began.
  • But Jose Mourinho once dropped him for missing a training session.
  • Hazard previously responded to accusations of laziness: “[I am] not a player who has to train or run a lot, I make decisive actions.”

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Hazard joined the Blues from Lille following the west London club’s Champions League triumph in 2012, reportedly turning down both Manchester clubs.

He would go on to enjoy an illustrious spell with Chelsea, registering 110 goals and creating a further 92 across 352 appearances, before leaving for Real Madrid this summer.

During his time wearing Blue, the Belgian international would six major trophies, including two Premier League titles, as well as being named Chelsea’s Player of the Season on no fewer than four occasions.

However, despite all of his individual successes and natural talent, Mikel felt when it came to preparing for games Hazard’s application left a lot to be desired.

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“The laziest player I have played alongside is Eden Hazard,” he told beIN Sports.

“Hazard has an incredible talent, maybe not as good as [Lionel] Messi, but he can do whatever he wants with the ball at his feet.

“He didn’t like to train hard. While we were working he was waiting for us to finish training just standing there. But on Sundays he was always Man of the Match, it was unbelievable.”