Like Cole Palmer in the present day, Eden Hazard was the face of the Chelsea team for a period of time when he was gracing the pitch at Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard is certainly a Chelsea legend and achieved so much in West London during his playing career, but he had some fabulous teammates alongside him. The highlight of his club career has to be his seven-year period in West London between 2012-2019.
It’s very much a transitional period with a young squad under the current Blues owners, which is a big change from the club being serial winners for most of the 21st century.
Eden Hazard took the shine off Willian’s greatness at Chelsea
Willian, who played at Chelsea from 2013-2020, won five pieces of silverware as a Blues player.
Fulham captain Tom Cairney, who played alongside the Brazilian attacker at Craven Cottage, claims he’s the most talented teammate he’s ever had. Interestingly, he suggested that Willian is perhaps universally underrated because he was overshadowed by Hazard when they played together.
When asked to name the best player he’s ever played with, Cairney told Sky Sports Premier League: “Willian, it’s not even close.
“I think football brain, out of this world. In my opinion, I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves in the Premier League.
“I think he was one of the best players in the Premier League for four or five years, but because he played in the same team as Eden Hazard, who kind of took a lot of the limelight, and rightly so, he was the best player, but I thought Willian was special, very special.”
Willian has been ranked as Chelsea’s best ever South American player for what he achieved at Stamford Bridge.
We agree that the winger did often play second fiddle to Hazard, so perhaps neutral supporters don’t fully respect him. He was instrumental in winning a couple of Premier League titles, though.
Aside from Cesar Azpilicueta, Willian has played more games alongside Hazard than any other player in his professional career.
| Games played together | Wins | Draws | Losses | Joint goal participation |
| 215 | 112 | 50 | 53 | 15 |
Jurgen Klopp previously hailed Willian by naming the former Chelsea wide man as one of the Premier League’s greatest players, so there are some in the footballing world that appreciate his talent.
Willian would easily get into current Chelsea team
Even though there were some ups and downs in Willian’s Chelsea career, the bulk of it was extremely successful.
The Brazilian winger, who could play either flank or as a No.10, provided so much quality with his crossing and dribbling for such a long period. His incredible work rate without the football shouldn’t be forgotten, too.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 339 | 63 | 57 |
If you look at the current Blues side under Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea version of Willian would go into the starting XI without question, probably on the left flank.
There’s some talented wide players in the Chelsea squad right now with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke. It’s fair to point out that none of the young wingers have the consistency of a prime Willian quite yet, though.
Willian was an ever-present in a Chelsea side competing for trophies across the board in most seasons, whereas the current crop are fighting to get the club back to the top of the mountain.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
