Chelsea Legend Eden Hazard Names Manchester City Star As Toughest Opponent

Since his arrival in 2017, Kyle Walker has grown into one of the best right-backs in the world at Manchester City.

While the Englishman was one of the Premier League’s finest players in his position at Tottenham, Pep Guardiola’s coaching has upped his game to another level.

So much so that there are many that claim that the 32 year-old has been the most consistent player at the club during the Catalan’s regime.

Under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino in particular, Kyle Walker was widely hailed as one of the best attacking right-backs in the division, known for advancing up the pitch and whipping in pinpoint crosses for awaiting attackers.

However, his game took what many could perceive to be a complete 180 as soon as he arrived in East Manchester.

Pep Guardiola has ensured that the England international operates in a much more conservative role over the years as an inverted right-back.

Kyle Walker’s responsibilities turned on their head under the Spaniard’s helm, as he was required to serve as an extra body in midfield, help enhance the side in build-up, and also utilise his excellent recovery pace to halt counter-attacks.

It is safe to say that the four-time Premier League champion has done that and more, considering he is widely thought as the best defensive right-back in the world.

A certain Eden Hazard agrees with the aforementioned claim, as he described the Sky Blues defender as the toughest opponent he ever faced in the Premier League.

“I am strong, I am fast but he is stronger than me and he is faster than me.

"As a right-back, he is one of the best at the moment”, he admitted in an interview with ESPN.

The Real Madrid winger has faced Kyle Walker on plenty of occasions, as he locked horns with him against both Spurs and Manchester City during his seven-year spell at Chelsea.

While the Belgian icon may have had his fair share of struggles against him in the Premier League, he endured a torrid time against the Manchester City star in Europe as well.

Going back to the second-leg of the round of 16 clash during the 2019/20 Champions League, the experienced defender famously 'pocketed' Eden Hazard during his debut season in Spain.

Ultimately, it is testament to Kyle Walker’s brilliance that one of the modern era’s finest wingers in Eden Hazard - who is known to make life hell for defenders - described him as his toughest opponent.