Chelsea Legend Hazard Hails 'Top-Class' Young Duo

Eden Hazard praises Chelsea's rising stars Cole Palmer and Estevao, calling them 'top-class' and 'special'.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:47am

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Chelsea icon Eden Hazard has heaped praise on young Chelsea wingers Cole Palmer and Estevao, describing them as 'top-class' and 'special' players. Hazard, who was a fan favorite during his time at Stamford Bridge, believes the duo have the potential to follow in his footsteps and become creative sparks for the club.

Why it matters

Hazard's endorsement of Palmer and Estevao carries significant weight, as he was one of Chelsea's best players in the 2010s and is widely regarded as one of the most talented players to have donned the Chelsea shirt in recent memory. His positive assessment of the young duo suggests Chelsea may have found suitable replacements for the creative void left by Hazard's departure in 2019.

The details

Hazard, who helped Chelsea win several trophies during his seven-year stint at the club, including two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and two Europa Leagues, has been impressed by the performances of Palmer and Estevao. He described the 17-18-year-old Estevao as 'top-class' and advised him to 'enjoy playing football'. Hazard also had high praise for the 20-year-old Palmer, calling him 'good' and 'special'.

  • Hazard made the comments about Palmer and Estevao in a recent interview with The Sun.

The players

Eden Hazard

A former Chelsea player who was a fan favorite during his time at Stamford Bridge, winning several trophies including two Premier League titles.

Cole Palmer

A 20-year-old Chelsea winger who has been compared to Hazard for his creative abilities.

Estevao

A 17-18-year-old Chelsea winger who has also been praised for his dribbling skills and potential.

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What they’re saying

“He's good; he's special.”

— Eden Hazard

“Whoo... but he's still young, you know. He's what, 17, 18? He has a lot of things to do. They're all top-class players.”

— Eden Hazard

“Enjoy playing football - that's it.”

— Eden Hazard

The takeaway

Hazard's praise of Palmer and Estevao suggests Chelsea may have found the next generation of creative talent to fill the void left by the Belgian's departure. The young duo's development will be crucial for Chelsea's future success, and Hazard's advice to 'enjoy playing football' could be key in helping them reach their full potential.