Florent Balmont says there are two sides to Eden Hazard’s game that makes the Chelsea forward the best player he has played with.
Balmont was able to witness Hazard’s development at first hand having played alongside the Belgian international during his formative years at Lille and being part of the side that won the domestic double in 2010-11.
Hazard would then go on to Chelsea the following year, where he has won a further five major trophies including two Premier League titles as well as earn nearly 100 caps for Belgium.
When asked who was the best player he played with during his long career, Balmont was in no doubt, telling Goal: “Eden Hazard. He was definitively the best. He had a vision of the game.
“Hazard knows when to be individual or collective, he has both sides. He has flair. He did some great things for Lille when the club was champion."
Balmont is preparing to face his former side this weekend having left the Stade Pierre-Mauroy for Dijon in 2016.
Lille are currently second in Ligue 1 and look to have put a difficult 2017-18 campaign – that only saw them only avoid relegation with a game to spare - behind them.
Balmont admits he was concerned by his former club’s plight last year, adding: “I was worried, yes. The club was not far from a very, very complicated situation. So I'm glad it's better. For the fans too. That's important. When I was in Lille I had a lot of support so I am very happy for them.”
At 38-years-old Balmont is currently the third oldest player in Ligue 1 behind Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon and Montpellier defender Vitorino Hilton.
With his contract up at the end of the season, Balmont is unsure whether he will continue his playing career, admitting he is considering a move into management.
“I've been thinking about that for a year and a half, two years. I really want to try to go to the other side and try a managerial role.”