Rio Ferdinand has challenged Eden Hazard to step his game up at Chelsea in the coming weeks and months.
The Belgian playmaker is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s top attacking talents and he played a key role in helping Chelsea to win the title under Antonio Conte last season.
Hazard has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s top players and has been linked with a possible move to Real Madrid in recent seasons.
However, like most of his team-mates, Hazard suffered a significant dip in form in the 2015-16 campaign as Chelsea slumped to a surprise 10th-placed finish in the Premier League.
And former Manchester United defender Ferdinand feels that Hazard still has some work to do to prove himself as one of the best in the world in his position.
Speaking to BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “He is in the top echelon of players below Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“What he needs to do [now] is come off the pitch and be upset if he hasn’t scored. That’s the hunger and desire you need to elevate yourself to the next level.”
Hazard will be expecting to start for Chelsea when the Blues return to Premier League action on Sunday with a crunch clash against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
The west London side are aiming to bounce back to winning ways after the disappointment of their 3-0 loss to Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
