– Maurizio Sarri says star man Eden Hazard has what it takes to become the best player
– The Belgian captain has been repeatedly linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer
– Hazard looks certain to remain at the club after Sarri told the midfielder he is not for sale
Chelsea Italian boss Maurizio Sarri believes Blues playmaker Eden Hazard has what it takes to dethrone Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as world’s best player.
In a UK Daily Mail report the new man at the helms of affairs at Stamford Bridge stressed that the Belgium captain is an exceptional player with the necessary ingredients to become a world class player.
The Chelsea star has been frequently linked with a switch to Santiago Bernabeu all summer but is still at West London.
Hazard is tipped to beat Ronaldo and Messi as world’s best footballer. Photo credit: Getty Images
Even with the European transfer window not ending until the last day of August, Hazard is practically going to remain at the Premier League side after being told he is not on the shop.
The Belgian rejoined the Blues squad returned barely two weeks ago after an extended World Cup holiday, and started from the subs bench during last weekend’s victory over Huddersfield to set up a goal for Pedro.
However, Hazard is set for a starter’s shirt in Saturday’s London derby against rivals Arsenal, as new boss Sarri looks to challenge Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the race for the Premier League silverware.
Interestingly, Sarri has no doubt that the 27-year-old Hazard will play a vital role in Chelsea’s dream of beating City and threaten Messi and Ronaldo’s hold on the Ballon d’Or over the past 10 years.
“In the last five years, Cristiano has played like a striker. Messi like a striker, Eden sometimes like a winger,” said Sarri.
“Eden can improve. We are talking about one of the most important players in Europe now but, in my opinion, he can improve more.
“He can be the first. It depends on him. The best for technical skill, the best for scoring, but I think it depends only on him. On his mind.
“Hazard, technically, is really one of the best in Europe at the moment. He has to work from the physical point of view, of course.”
Speaking further the 59-year-old football tactician revealed why he traded former club Napoli for the Stamford Bridge.
“Chelsea are one of the most important clubs in Europe.
“I think one of the most important clubs in Europe cannot sell an important player without the possibility of buying a player on the same level.
“Of course when I joined, I was concerned about this problem. But the first time I spoke to him, I was sure that he would stay.”
Even with Hazard performances on the field Sarri insists it is going to be a tough task to the defending Premier League champions.
“At this moment, in English football there is one club above the others. This club is Manchester City,” noted the Italian.
Sarri tips Hazard to beat Ronaldo and Messi as world’s best footballer. Photo credit: Getty Images
“We have to try to reach 101 per cent of our potential. Then we have to see. I don’t know, now, what can happen but my feeling is that we can be a very good team.
“In this moment, I think City are a long way ahead, we have to work to reduce the gap,” Sarri was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, TRACK NEWS previously had reported that Chelsea got their 2018-19 premier League campaign off to a winning start after beating Huddersfield 3-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium.
World Cup winning star N’golo Kante got the Blues started in the 34th minute through a close range jab into the net.
Just four minutes after conceding their first goal, Mathias Joergensen tried restoring parity for his side as he rose up to head the ball in the 38th minute, but he was denied by the wood works.
Later they conceded another goal from a Jorginho spot kick as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way in the 45th minute.
And in the 80th minute, Pedro Rodriguez made it three for the FA Cup champions after chipping the ball a little above Ben Hamer to make it 3-0 for Chelsea.
