Hazard believes he can win the Ballon D’Or with Chelsea- not just yet

Hazard believes he can win the Ballon D’Or with Chelsea- not just yet

Chelsea have excelled this season and can seal their second Premier League title in three seasons with a victory against West Brom tonight, before potentially sealing a double later this month if they beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final.

Antonio Conte’s side have been the stand-out performers in the division this season, with the Italian boss’ sweeping changes at the club having a positive effect- particularly since switching to a three-man defence after defeat to Arsenal in late September.

Since then, the Blues’ charge has looked relatively unstoppable and Chelsea have pushed towards success, although a slight blip in recent months had opened the door for a late title charge from Tottenham Hotspur- although the Blues’ success in the first-half of the season meant Spurs’ chances were always slim.

A lot of names as stood out for Chelsea this season but Belgian ace Eden Hazard has arguably topped the lot, with the former Lille man getting back to his best after a largely disappointing campaign in Chelsea’s title defence last season.

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The 26-year-old has netted 15 goals and secured five assists in 33 Premier League appearances this season, a terrific return, and admitted to Sky Sports he’s eyeing bigger things once the Blues seal the title- as he sets his sights on the Ballon D’Or.

“I hope to win the Ballon D’Or one day. It’s in my mind. If I don’t, it won’t be a problem. I try to make a good career – the best I can – but I think some other players deserve to win it also.”

“When Ronaldo and Messi retire, maybe it will be another couple of players like Neymar, Paulo Dybala or Antoine Griezmann, who knows? We will see. It’s not something I think too much about.”

“Could I win it? If I play next season, we win the Champions League and I win the World Cup with Belgium, why not? In the last 10 years, the Ballon d’Or winners play in Spain, but it’s not automatic. If a player is better in England, he will win it.”

Hazard clearly realises he has his work cut out if he is to seal the award for the best player in the world in the coming years, as his return in front of goal is largely inferior to the names he mentioned- Ronaldo, Messi, Dybala and Griezmann.

Still, the Belgian does have a chance to contend for this honour, likely once Messi and Ronaldo end their years at the top, but he’ll have to prove himself in the Champions League and the World Cup next year- after disappointing displays for the Blues in Europe last season and Belgium in 2014.

Belgium also need to seal their spot in Russia next summer but look in good form to do so, currently sitting top of their group and two points ahead of second-placed Greece; and yet to taste defeat in their five qualifiers so far.