Former Manchester City defender and current pundit, Micah Richards, has sparked a debate among football fans with his recent comments. He believes that ex-Chelsea winger Eden Hazard was a "better all-round player" than Liverpool's star forward Mohamed Salah. This statement has stirred up discussions among sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike.
During his time at Chelsea, there was no denying that Eden Hazard was one of the world's best players. The Belgian international played a pivotal role in leading Chelsea to two Premier League titles and was arguably the standout player in both teams. However, following his transfer to Real Madrid in 2019, Hazard's form took a significant hit. Injuries plagued him during his tenure in Spain which ultimately led to his retirement in October 2023.
On the other hand, Mohamed Salah continues to showcase top-tier performances for Liverpool. So far this season under Arne Slot’s management, he has scored six goals in nine games - an impressive feat that helped guide Liverpool to the top of the Premier League standings. Despite their contrasting career trajectories post-Premier League stints, both players are considered Premier League greats by fans and pundits alike.
Comparing two greats
Richards recently shared his thoughts on Gary Lineker’s 'The Rest Is Football' podcast where he compared these two football giants:
Former Manchester City defender, Micah Richards, said:
"I think Hazard’s probably a better all-round player, I would say. But Salah’s a bit more devastating, you know, with his numbers and yeah, he’s a bit more prolific I would say and yeah, they are a little bit different."
He acknowledged that while Salah is more of a goal threat than Hazard ever was; it doesn't necessarily make him superior overall. The former City star still maintains that as an all-around player; Hazard had an edge over Salah during their respective peaks.
A closer look at their statistics
When comparing statistics between these two players, Salah has an impressive record. He has scored 161 goals in 269 appearances, placing him 10th on the list of all-time top scorers. In contrast, Hazard scored a total of 85 goals in his 245 appearances.
Salah is also expected to climb up the all-time top scorers list this season. He is just one goal behind Jermaine Defoe and two behind Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. To surpass Thierry Henry who sits seventh on the list with 175 goals, Salah would need to score another fifteen times this season.
While Richards' opinion might be controversial among some fans, it's undeniable that both Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah have left indelible marks on Premier League history. Their unique styles and contributions have shaped their teams' successes and will continue to fuel debates among football enthusiasts for years to come.
