Mateo Kovacic believes Eden Hazard is currently among the three best players in world football.
The Belgium international was eased back into the Chelsea starting XI following his exertions with Belgium at the World Cup but has been in spellbinding form in recent weeks.
Hazard scored a sensational hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-1 demolition of Cardiff as Chelsea maintained their 100% start to the Premier League season with five wins from as many games and the Croatia international admits it’s a privilege to play alongside Hazard in his current form.
He said: ‘He’s very good. I didn’t know that he’s so good.
“Obviously I knew he was a great player but now when I see him playing with us every day and every week he is just incredible.
‘For me in this moment he is one of the three best players in the world so I’m enjoying playing with him. The other players here, there is some amazing talent and we can do great things.’
Hazard, along with Kovacic, a summer loan signing from Real Madrid, were both left out of the side for Thursday’s Europa League group stage clash against PAOK with Sunday’s trip to West Ham in mind.
‘Kovacic it is better to have rest with the little injury,’ confirmed Maurizio Sarri at his pre-match press conference.
‘Hazard after the national team and the match with Cardiff he was a little bit tired. I thought it was better to have training and rest.’