Matt Jarvis says Chelsea released one of the best players he ever came up against

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Former West Ham and Wolves winger Matt Jarvis singles out a Chelsea player he had a difficult time against during his playing days.

Matt Jarvis made over 200 appearances during his time in the Premier League, and has faced off against some of the best to do it in the top flight.

The 39-year-old has turned to sports media after a long, successful career, and is fond of telling stories from his time as a player.

He was asked about the toughest players he faced, and he named two Chelsea players, one of whom was released by the Blues after seven successful seasons.

Matt Jarvis says Willian was one of his toughest opponents

Willian’s rise to stardom took an unorthodox route, spending the first eight seasons of his career playing in Russia and the Ukraine. Chelsea would snap him up for £30 million amid interest from Tottenham; an astute bit of business, looking back.

Jarvis saw the Brazilian’s quality first-hand, and his talent stood out alongside fellow Chelsea icon Eden Hazard.

Speaking on the I Had Trials Once podcast, Jarvis explains: “I think Hazard was unreal. He was unreal. Just from like a wide player on a wide player. Yeah. Just the way he could drop the shoulder and spin away in his burst of pace.

“But even like Willian, he was, you knew what he was going to do. He’s got that right and he’ll go right. You couldn’t get anywhere near him, he was so sharp.”

Hazard and Willian devastated defences for years at Stamford Bridge, but the Belgian always got more recognition. It’s nice to see Willian’s legacy appreciated in this way.

Jarvis names Ashley Cole as the best full-back in Premier League history

It’s a pretty popular opinion to have, but Jarvis sees no reason to deviate from Ashley Cole as the best to do it in his position.

He recalls dreading that particular assignment, no match for the Chelsea legend’s talent.

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He says: “I only ever played right wing maybe once potentially twice a season and that was only to run and chase Ashley Cole the whole time. He’s the best fullback that’s ever played in the Prem by a country mile.”

When pressed for a justification, the Englishman is quick to respond: “He was quick. He was strong. He was a brilliant tackler. 1v1 defender. Great on the ball.

“You know, a nightmare to play against because every time you had that opportunity to take him on one, you were shattered from chasing him down the other way.”

Jarvis would have faced off against Chelsea while they were at the peak of English football, and it’s clear those clashes have stuck with him all these years later.