Is Eden Hazard Really ‘Like Messi’?

Roberto Martinez has said Eden Hazard has the abilities similar to that of Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi.

The Chelsea midfielder is in impeccable form this season and scored a wonderful solo goal against Arsenal, as Chelsea stayed nine points clear at the top.

Hazard was below par last season but Martinez says Chelsea and Belgium have found a new way to get the best out of him this campaign.

“What he does is quite unique,” Martinez said.

“It’s that acceleration and stopping and standing still. He reminds me a lot of Messi. Not many players can control the moment and take the defenders where you want to take them.

“The way he uses the ball with his feet is sensational and what is surprising more than anything is his maturity.

“I think that Eden, at 26, is almost in the perfect moment of his career and the system that Chelsea plays, which is the same as we play in the national team, has really given him a new breath of life.

“Last season, as an opposition Premier League manager you were always aware of Eden Hazard and playing on the left wing it was probably easier to stop him having one v one situations.

“Now it is a lot harder to get him tied down.”

What do you think?