Chelsea’s Eden Hazard can become world’s best, says Ian Holloway
Wednesday 29 July 2015 16:15, UK
Eden Hazard could become the best player in the world if he heeds manager Jose Mourinho’s advice, according to new Sky Sports pundit Ian Holloway.
Hazard joined Chelsea from French side Lille in 2012 and has since developed into one of the world’s best players, playing a pivotal role in the club winning the Premier League and Capital One Cup last season.
The 24-year-old’s sensational form was recognised by his fellow professionals in April, when he was crowned PFA Players' Player of the Year for the 2014/15 campaign. He was also selected as the Footballer Writers’ Player of the Year as well as the Premier League Player of the Season.
Ahead of the new season, Mourinho recently stated only Lionel Messi was currently better than Hazard. But Holloway insists the Belgium midfielder can overtake Messi at the top of world football if he follows the words of his manager.
"Jose has managed some of the best players in the world and for him to be talking about this boy in this way says something," Holloway told Sky Sports News HQ on The Morning View.
"He just wants him to step up to the plate and believe in himself. If he does, and produces that on a regular basis, he could be one (of), if not the, best player in the world."
Hazard scored a stunning individual goal for Chelsea in their pre-season penalty shoot-out victory over Barcelona at FedExField in Washington on Wednesday.
And Holloway has been left in no doubt to who has helped to catapult Hazard among the world’s elite players.
"I think he (Mourinho) is very cleverly challenging the lad by pushing him and giving him a great compliment to put him alongside those players such as Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo," the former Blackpool and Crystal Palace manager added.
"Also, he was very clever knocking him down when he needed to by saying he did not work hard enough. But the goal against Barcelona was absolute genius. To beat three people on the run and move so quickly with the ball.
"That is brilliant psychology from the main man himself, Mr Mourinho."
The goal against Barcelona was absolute genius. To beat three people on the run and move so quickly with the ball.
However, with less than two weeks before the start of the new season, the fitness of forward Diego Costa will be a major concern for Mourinho.
The Spain international was replaced on the hour mark in the win over the European champions due to a hamstring injury.
Costa was troubled by the same problem last season and is a doubt for this weekend’s Community Shield match with Arsenal at Wembley.
Mourinho’s summer signing Radamel Falcao could feature in the clash with the Gunners in Costa’s absence, but Holloway is not convinced the Colombia forward could be a long-term replacement.
Holloway said: "The fella is a fantastic player, but no one is a fantastic player straight after a cruciate knee ligament injury which he had.
"Mourinho has been very, very clever and he knows what he’s got. He will need a Costa replacement, is Falcao that? I don’t think so. But I think Mourinho will have something up his sleeve."
