Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is one of the best players in the Premier League and of course in Europe. But like many in the last ten or so years, pure talents in generation are unfortunate top have been born just around the same era as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Many like Hazard have had to contend with being named behind the superstar duo in the La Liga. The likes of Frank Ribery, Arjen Robben, Kaka, Wesley Sneidjer and most recently Neymar have been told to contend with life as number three in the world. Hazard is no exception. At best in these times, Hazard would have ranked as third best players in the world, so long as Ronaldo and Messi still play football the way they do.
That has been reiterated by former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol. The ex-Barcelona defender says although Hazard has it all going for him and is ‘fantastic’ in his own right, the Belgium international cannot compare with Messi and Ronaldo, purely for the history and records the duo have made in football during their peak time.
I don’t think he’s at their level yet. We are talking about incredible players. It’s not just one season, they have been at the maximum level for 10 years now. Messi is the best player in the world and in history. It’s impressive what he’s doing every year at an exceptionally high level, breaking records, getting better and better in more aspects of his game.
So to compare him with Messi or Ronaldo is difficult, but Hazard is a fantastic player. He’s a player who makes the difference and has plenty of time to grow. Hazard is their best player. They also have Cesc Fabregas. You have to control Cesc, who likes to dictate play and provide assists.
Willian who played well in the first leg and Pedro knows the Nou Camp perfectly and is a very dangerous player who works hard. Barcelona will have to have a complete game and not just watch out for one player but for several because Chelsea have great players going forward.
Carles Puyol, Daily Mail
