Belgium manager Marc Wilmots believes Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard can be one of the five best players in the world.
The 23-year-old was in fine form for the West London side and was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year last season. He has the potential to be one of the best players in the world, following Real Madrid star Cristaino Ronaldo and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.
Wilmots believes the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be a stage for Hazard to shine for the national side and has urged the Belgium international to release the handbrake and star for his team.
“Hazard is one of the players who can be one of the five best in the world. Now it’s up to him to release the handbrake and go. He’s 23 years old and playing his first World Cup. It depends on him, but he has everything he needs,” Wilmots said.
Belgium kick-start their World Cup campaign on Tuesday as they face Algeria in Group H fixture at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte. All eyes will be on Hazard during the summer tournament in Brazil.
However, Wilmots has played down any such suggestions and says the World Cup for Belgium is not just only about Chelsea forward. He has urged his players to deliver at the big stage.
“It’s not a tournament for Eden, but for the entire team. He can’t do anything alone, so we need a good collective,” the Belgium manager expressed.
We need to play with sacrifice and we want him to show his talent, but only the team [as a whole] will be able to make the difference. For Hazard and for the Red Devils, back on the world stage after far too long, it’s time to deliver.”
A victory for Belgium against Algeria would see them take on South Korea and Russia in the remaining two Group H fixture of the World Cup. They are favourites to finish the group on top.
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