Retired footballing icon Eden Hazard has officially identified former Tottenham and Fulham star Mousa Dembélé as the most underrated midfielder from his professional era. Throughout a decorated career spanning Chelsea, Real Madrid, and the Belgian national team, Hazard shared the pitch with several of the world’s most celebrated athletes. However, the 35-year-old insists that Dembélé possesses a level of talent that never received its proper due on the global stage.
Hazard, who walked away from the sport in 2023, reflected on his journey during a recent interview with The Guardian. His tenure at Real Madrid followed a massive transfer from Chelsea—a deal potentially worth £150 million—but injuries limited the Belgian to just 76 appearances and seven goals in Spain. Despite these challenges, he secured two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy while playing alongside greats like Luka Modrić, Karim Benzema, and Sergio Ramos. At Chelsea and with Belgium, he partnered with legends such as Frank Lampard, Cesc Fàbregas, and Kevin De Bruyne, yet he maintains that Dembélé belongs in that same elite conversation.
“I have always believed that Mousa Dembélé was one of the best midfielders from that era. People didn’t talk about him a lot because he didn’t score many goals, but the fans in the Premier League know he was one of the best players,” Hazard said.
This sentiment echoes the high praise from former Fulham manager Martin Jol, who famously transitioned Dembélé from an attacking winger into a central midfield role. Jol previously described the Belgian international as a unique talent whose ball-handling skills surpassed almost any other player he had ever coached. Following Dembélé’s departure from Craven Cottage to North London, the Dutch manager lamented the loss of a player he considered technically superior to his peers.
“We’ve had a few players in the last few years who are really much better than the rest. Dembele is likely the best player I’ve ever seen when it comes to handling the ball, and we lost him,” Jol stated.
While Dembélé lacked the high goal-scoring statistics that often drive media headlines, Hazard believes his technical mastery and physical dominance in the middle of the park defined a generation. The former Chelsea winger argues that true football fans recognize the Belgian’s brilliance despite his lack of individual silverware. As Hazard enjoys his retirement in Madrid, he remains vocal about ensuring the “Golden Generation” of Belgian football receives its full historical credit, starting with the man he considers the ultimate midfield maestro.
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