Sofiane Boufal: What French football is saying about 'new Eden Hazard'

Sofiane Boufal, Lille's dynamic young winger with the dazzling dribbling skills, has all of French football excited about his emergence this season.

Here's just some of what his teammates and opponents say about the 22 year-old dubbed 'the next Eden Hazard':

FREDERIC ANTONETTI (LILLE COACH):

"Sofiane Boufal? He loves football, is talented, wins matches. But maybe he must sometimes work back a little?"

RIO MAVUBA (LILLE):

“He reminds me of Eden (Hazard) when he was playing here. It is striking, he likes the ball, even if he plays too much sometimes. But he is young, you have to let him grow."

STEPHANE MOULIN (ANGERS COACH):

"He'll continue to do things others cannot. He's attractive. Different. People like to go to the stadium to see this type of player."

JEAN-DANIEL AKPA-AKPRO (TOULOUSE):

"For me he is the best player of Lille. He exudes a certain serenity, this is the style of player I like. But To compare to Hazard? That's no good at this point."

MICHEL SEYDOUX (LILLE PRESIDENT):

"I am not a salesman for Boufal, but that's not going to stop bids from happening. I'm just conscious of the market. I never said I would be willing to sell Boufal this winter. There is no reason for him to leave."

GIANNI BRUNO (EVIAN):

"He likes to dribble, try things. All this mixed with recklessness and madness in his game. Sofiane is small, brisk, technical, explosive In the first metres, just like Eden."

RENE GIRARD (EX-LILLE COACH):

"He immediately felt good, he was calm, he was adopted by the squad and the public. We always use labels and it does not benefit the player. Hazard took seven or eight years to get where he is."

GREGORY MALICKI (EX-LILLE, ANGERS):

"I hope he follows in the footsteps of Eden. It is difficult to compare. Eden is rather exceptional, but he (Boufal) can develop very quickly. They're both great dribblers. Very quick over the first 1-2 metres and have the ability to beat their opponent."

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