In this current Chelsea team, Cole Palmer is probably the closest thing the Blues have to Eden Hazard.
Like Hazard was in his prime, Palmer is both a goalscorer and creator. Chelsea may be without Palmer for their next game against Fulham, which would be a blow for Enzo Maresca.
Alejandro Garnacho, who is set to join Chelsea before the transfer window closes, is nowhere near the Belgium legend’s level.
However, there is one area where you can see similarities between the two at times, and his former manager Erik ten Hag has commented on it in the past.
Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United in action
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Erik ten Hag thinks few players can dribble like Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho’s biggest strength right now is probably taking on players and dribbling with the ball.
The Manchester United star may be young, but he is direct and fearless when it comes to his wing play.
Speaking in a post-match press conference in 2023, which was shared by United’s official club website, Garnacho’s manager at the time, Ten Hag, said: “This is one of his skills, but definitely it’s a great skill when you’re fearless, when you’re brave.
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“It’s a skill so specific there are not so many players in world football who can take players on or capable, they just go play and just outplay and out-dribble them. And that skill, he has.”
Erik ten Hag as the Manchester United manager ahead of the Premier League match against Brighton.
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The 21-year-old could now be set to bring some excitement to the left wing at Stamford Bridge.
United initially wanted £50m for Garnacho during this transfer window, but it is being widely reported that Chelsea have now closed a deal worth £40m.
Should that transfer go through, Garnacho will be expected to compete against Jamie Gittens for a spot in Maresca’s team.
Chelsea's Eden Hazard celebrating
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If Garnacho does go on to join Chelsea as expected, he will be looking to imitate Hazard, who may go down as the best dribbler in Premier League history.
In his final ever Premier League season, Hazard recorded an incredible average of 3.7 dribbles per game, the highest in the division (via WhoScored).
The above shows just what a tremendous dribbler the Chelsea legend was, but his game also included goals and assists. Hazard finished that campaign with 31 goal contributions in total.
If Garnacho can add that kind of productivity to his own game, he could become a superstar in west London.