Hazard has the world at his feet, says Lampard

Mar 19, 2013 12:10:00 AM

The veteran Chelsea midfielder believes his Belgian team-mate can grow to become one of the best players in the world, comparing his style to Blues legend Gianfranco Zola

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes winger Eden Hazard can become one of the best players in the world.

Both Lampard and Hazard were on the scoresheet as the Blues triumphed 2-0 over West Ham on Sunday afternoon, and Lampard, whose header marked his 200th Chelsea goal, is of the opinion that Hazard could go on to become a legend at Stamford Bridge.

"Eden is 22.

He has got the world at his feet and he can handle the pressure because he is that good," Lampard told Sky Sports.

"His ability and speed off the mark and the way he is able to turn on a sixpence is what all great attacking players have and he's got it in abundance.

"He is very laid back, a great character and not too much bothers him by the look of it. That's the way he plays and it reflects in his game.

"I hope he carries on doing it because he's an absolute pleasure to play with."

Lampard went on to compare Hazard to former Chelsea hero Gianfranco Zola.

"Zola did it throughout his career while Eden's at a relatively early part of his career," Lampard continued, "but what he is showing now are glimpses that he can be in that bracket and be one of the top players in the world."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
Goal's Serie A awards for 2012-13
Goal crowns the best and worst from Italy over the course of the season
2012-13: The season that ended an era
A frenzy of tears, salutes and send-offs have marked the finale of the campaign of goodbyes as the Premier League draws a line under its first defining generation
Now or never for Wenger to seal legacy
The Gunners sealed a place in next season's Champions League with victory at Newcastle on Sunday - and must now spend money to improve the squad over the summer
And Goal.com's World Player of the Week is ...
Check out which star man gets the nod from our panel of experts this week ...