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Eden Hazard: Rio Ferdinand reveals one doubt over Chelsea star
CHELSEA star Eden Hazard must keep up his goalscoring form to be considered the best player in Europe.
That is the verdict of legendary Manchester United defender turned pundit Rio Ferdinand.
Ahead of Chelsea’s visit of Liverpool tonight, Eden Hazard was the joint leading scorer in the Premier League with five goals.
The Belgian scored his sixth of the season in all competitions on Tuesday with a stunning solo effort against the same opposition in the Carabao Cup.
Hazard has been labelled the best player in Europe by manager Maurizio Sarri, who has also set the 27-year-old a 40-goal target this season.
If he scores goals at a good rate, 20 goals this season maybe, 25-30 goals, then you’re saying then he’s up there as the best in Europe
Ferdinand says he has never doubted Hazard’s ability but has always had question marks over whether he can score enough to be considered the best.
“Hazard’s ability has never, ever been in question," Ferdinand said.
“That has always been there, it’s been apparent for everyone to see.
“It’s very obvious for everyone, a novice for football, to see.
“But, should he be more selfish? Should he have more devilment in his game? Should he score more goals?
“That’s always been the case, I’ve always thought that about him.
“Talent is not a problem, he can go and play for any club in the world.
“But, is he going to be the best player? If he scores goals at a good rate, 20 goals this season maybe, 25-30 goals, then you’re saying then he’s up there as the best in Europe.
“At the moment on form he’s the best because why? Because he’s scoring.
“He could be playing brilliantly the way he has done for the last couple of years and not scoring and he’s got a question mark, ‘he doesn’t score enough’.
“But now he’s doing that, he’s at the top table looking and thinking very, very comfortable.”
Hazard opened the scoring for Chelsea against Liverpool to move out on his own as the leading scorer in the top flight with six.