Jamie Redknapp says Eden Hazard showed plenty of ability during Chelsea's 2-0 victory at Wigan.
'Belgian shone on Blues bow, whilst Kone could flourish at Wigan'
Jamie Redknapp told
Super Sunday that Eden Hazard made a terrific start to his Premier League career during Chelsea's 2-0 conquering of Wigan.
The Belgian tyro - whom the Blues acquired from Lille earlier in the summer - played a starring role at the DW Stadium, setting up Branislav Ivanovic's opener and then winning the penalty from which Frank Lampard netted to seal victory for the Londoners.
Read our match report here
Sky Sports pundit Redknapp was impressed by the composure Hazard showed whilst on the ball, while he also praised the crisp style of football that Robert Di Matteo's men showcased in their opening game of the term.
On Hazard, the former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder said: "In the first half he was sensational and to introduce yourself to the Premier League and to your own fans with that sort of performance is all you can ask for.
"I have spoken to Joe Cole (who played with Hazard at Lille last year) and he said he could be a right-footed Lionel Messi, and like all good players he has got in-built wing mirrors; he knows where people are and he sees every picture, while he has a lovely weight of pass.
"He is rated very highly in France, but he would have come over here and wanted all his touches to come off and that's exactly what happened. He drove at the defenders and that was a nightmare for them, even though in the second he started to over-elaborate a bit.
Strength
"There were a lot of positives for Chelsea; Fernando Torres looked sharp, Oscar had a nice cameo and there was a lot more short passing. They were impressive."
Wigan - who secured their Premier League safety at the backend of last season by garnering victories over Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal - created plenty of chances of their own on Sunday afternoon.
And Redknapp feels the Latics' new striker, Arouna Kone - snapped up from Spanish outft Levante last week - could prove to be a nuisance for top-flight defenders.
"Wigan did okay; they had 14 efforts on goals, with both Arouna Kone and Jordi Gomez having good chances," added Redknapp. "They looked like if they had got one goal they could have got a second.
"I thought Wigan lacked an out-and-out frontman last season; Franco Di Santo did it at times but in Kone I think they have a bit more pace and strength and someone who can perhaps hold the ball up a bit more. There were definitely some positives for Wigan."
