Thierry Henry is someone who knows a thing or two about talent, and he has given special credit to a Chelsea man who he couldn’t get enough of watching.
Nostalgia bias is a real thing. Sometimes, you can look back on players or teams, or seasons in general, with rose-tinted glasses. Certainly, in football, talent is often appreciated more after the fact.
Many would argue against such thinking, pointing out the numbers, performances, and general talent of current players easily stacking up to those ballers from years gone by.
But Henry, who has as strong a claim as anyone for Premier League GOAT, genuinely thinks — from a quality and watchability perspective — no one has come close to a Chelsea icon since he left the league.
Eden Hazard and Thierry Henry meet after Belgium win
Photo by Vincent Van Doornick/Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images
Thierry Henry hasn’t seen the likes of Eden Hazard since he left Chelsea
When it comes to raw talent, there was only ever going to be one Chelsea player the Frenchman was referring to.
Eden Hazard is one of the best to grace the Premier League, and certainly one of Chelsea’s best. Despite Henry being asked which current player he would pay to watch, he picked Hazard and didn’t expand any further.
Unless we’re counting Hazard’s charity match performance a week ago, he’s not a current player, but it sounds like no one has replicated how he made the former Arsenal and Barcelona star feel.
It’s even more of a compliment when you consider that the Belgian played for Chelsea and Barcelona, two rivals from Henry’s playing days.
Game recognises game.
Current Chelsea players who could change Henry’s mind
Hazard retired in 2023, and last played for Chelsea over six seasons ago. Yet, nobody has eclipsed his talent in the eyes of Henry.
But there are two Chelsea players who might stand a chance of rubbing shoulders with him. Two players who Enzo Maresca has compared on numerous occasions.
Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian celebrate a goal for Chelsea
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Cole Palmer is the obvious first. His elegance, his composure, the way he glides with the ball, all scream quality. His output since coming to Stamford Bridge has been nothing short of remarkable. Maybe Henry is waiting for him to take that next step before including him in such elite company.
The other is Estevao Willian, who looks like reaching that generational level sooner than later. He’s still just 18, but already looks so exciting with the ball at his feet. If he continues on this trajectory, Henry surely won’t mind shelling out a few quid to watch the Brazilian in action.