---
title: "Hazard will be as good as Messi and Ronaldo says Payet"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2015/10/24/hazard-will-good-messi-ronaldo-says-payet/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ryan Darby"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2015-10-24T09:13:51Z"
modified: "2015-10-24T09:13:51Z"
---

# Hazard will be as good as Messi and Ronaldo says Payet

Eden Hazard still has the ability to become as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to West Ham’s summer signing, Dimitri Payet.

Speaking to [Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/west-hams-song-dimitri-payet-6692482), Payet claims, despite his poor start he can still reach that level. Hazard drew comparisons to the two elite stars of this world last season after a dazzling season.

The Belgium winger almost single-handedly drove Chelsea towards the Premier League title, and Hazard reaped the rewards too. The winger was named the PFA Player of the Year, Chelsea’s Players’ Player of the season, Chelsea’s Player of the season as well as being named in the PFA team of the season.

This season, however, is a totally different story for Hazard. The player has looked a shadow of the player that brought the Premier League to life last season and has even been linked with a move to [Real Madrid](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/22/football-transfer-rumours-hazard-real-madrid-chelsea).

Payet, a former team-mate of Hazard, had good things to say about Hazard and is clearly looking forward to coming up against him today:

> It was a pleasure to play with such a player – it was easy to play with Eden, I think in the years to come he is going to be the best along with Messi and Ronaldo.

![David Rogers/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readchelsea.com/readchelsea/2015/10/176541546.jpg)

Payet says Hazard is constantly under immense pressure at Chelsea, which may explain his downfall:

> There is a lot of pressure. Chelsea’s game goes a lot through him. Last season he created nearly all their chances and goals. So the team relies on him.

![David Ramos/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readchelsea.com/readchelsea/2015/10/492592266.jpg)

However, Payet is sure that Hazard has the mental strength to turn his season around:

> I watched the match against Newcastle and two or three other matches. As soon as he touches the ball, there are two or three players on him trying to stop him playing. It is going less well at the moment but I am not worried for him. Eden is someone very strong mentally. I have no worries that he will get through this and return to his usual level and he will help Chelsea reach their goals. If I said I was not scared of him, I would be a liar! He is still their top player going forward.