Mesut Ozil Eden HazardGetty

'Hazard delivers in big games, Ozil goes missing' - Hoddle delivers verdict on Chelsea & Arsenal stars

Former Chelsea boss Glenn Hoddle has hailed Eden Hazard, saying the “the bigger the game, the better he plays”.

He feels the opposite is true of Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozi, however, with the German enduring another tough afternoon at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

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The Gunners look to their World Cup winner for creative inspiration, but he was again found wanting in a 3-1 defeat which leaves Arsene Wenger’s side 12 points off the Premier League title pace.

In contrast, Hazard was at the heart of another convincing victory for Antonio Conte’s in-form side, with a spectacular solo strike helping to wrap up the points.

Mesut Ozil Arsenal 2016

Hoddle believes it is that kind of contribution which marks the Belgian out as a special talent and highlights the deficiencies in Ozil’s game.

He wrote in a column for the Daily Mail: "Given that Chelsea are so good as a unit, it's hard to single out an individual, but Eden Hazard was outstanding on Saturday.

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"When you play the big games, you want your big players to step up. That's exactly what he did.

"The contrast with Mesut Ozil was unavoidable. The bigger the game, the better Hazard plays. 

"For Ozil, despite his record as a World Cup winner and a La Liga champion at Real Madrid, you feel it's the opposite."

Eden Hazard

Hoddle added on Hazard: "His goal was wonderful but throughout he was excellent. 

"Antonio Conte praised his back-tracking and work for the team. But he has that magical ability to change a game.

Chelsea champions in all but name

"He beat Laurent Koscielny twice for his goal, and that's a defender I rate highly. Once he has you face on, bearing down on goal, he can destroy the best defenders with his quick feet."

Hazard’s superiority over his Arsenal rival is further enhanced by his end product this season, with 10 Premier League goals and three assists eclipsing the five strikes and four assists the Gunners man boasts.

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