Rio Ferdinand: What I really think about Chelsea’s Eden Hazard
The Man United legend hails Chelsea forward Eden Hazard as a truly world class player
Rio Ferdinand has reiterated that Chelsea forward Eden Hazard is now at a world-class level.
The Belgium international made his first Champions League start of the 2017-18 season at Atletcio Madrid on Wednesday night.
Hazard suffered a broken ankle on international duty at the end of his first season under Antonio Conte to rule the Chelsea number 10 out of pre-season.
The 26-year-old made his third Premier League appearance of the campaign last weekend when Chelsea were 4-0 winners against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.
Conte drafted Hazard into his Champions League team on Wednesday night and the Belgian forward produced a dominant performance to terrorise the Atletico defence.
Hazard made the assist of Alvaro Morata’s equaliser before Michy Batshuayi netted an added-time winner to secure three points for the Premier League champions in Madrid.
Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand hailed Hazard as a world-class performer following his impressive display.
“I think he’s world-class. But sometimes top players do need help,” Ferdinand told BT Sport on Wednesday night.
“They need team-mates to be able to put them there. This is one of those situations where a top, top player needs the help of his team-mates to push him on.
“In the Premier League against top-class defenders, he is a game-changer.”
Hazard scored 13 goals and made seven assists in the Premier League last season to help Chelsea to win the title with two games to spare last season.
The Blues forward moved to Chelsea in a big-money deal from Ligue 1 side Lille in the 2012 summer transfer window.
Hazard, though, is still waiting to lift his first Premier League title.
