Eden Hazard Retires: Is He or Mo Salah the Best Premier League Winger?
At the age of 32, Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from football, bringing to an end a career that saw him shine for Lille and Chelsea, but struggle to find his form upon joining Real Madrid. Despite this, Hazard remains one of the finest to play in the Premier League, with 85 goals and 61 assists in 245 games for Chelsea. This has led to repeated claims that the Belgian is the best winger to feature in the Premier League era, but is he really?
The Debate: Hazard vs. Salah
Hazard is often held up against former team-mate Mo Salah, who has already bettered his tally with 144 goals and 68 assists in 239 games. But while he is backed vociferously in certain quarters, Hazard himself has already suggested that he strived to emulate the Egyptian. “Mo Salah is one of my good friends and he’s doing something incredible,” he told NBC Sports in 2019. “I try to look at this player and try to reach that level.” Later that year, speaking to Le Parisien, Hazard gave the No. 11 his backing to win the Ballon d’Or, admitting it was a race between Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane.
No Rivalry Between Hazard and Salah
There is clearly no rivalry between Hazard and Salah, despite how often they are pitted against each other when it comes to the Premier League’s best. Hazard was a thorn in Liverpool’s side throughout his seven years in England, losing only three of his 16 meetings, scoring six times and assisting twice. That included goals in back-to-back games in the space of just four days in 2018, following up a sensational winner in a League Cup third-round clash with the opener in a 1-1 draw in the Premier League. Between the two clashes, Jurgen Klopp hailed Hazard as a “special player.”
Acknowledging Hazard’s Contribution
While the debate over Hazard or Salah is likely to rage on, upon his retirement, it is perhaps better to just acknowledge his contribution to the Premier League. Hazard was a unique talent who could turn a game on its head with one moment of brilliance. His ability to beat defenders with ease and create chances out of nothing made him one of the most feared players in the league. He will be remembered as one of the greatest wingers to ever grace the Premier League and his legacy will live on for many years to come.