According to the Guardian, Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard has praised the impact of Jose Mourinho at the club, admitting that his move to Stamford Bridge made him more aware of his potential to become as great as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The former Lille attacker joined Chelsea in the summer of 2012, when he was also wanted by Manchester City and Manchester United. The fee paid by Chelsea to Lille was £32 million, and the Belgian has proved the price tag worthy due to his consistent contributions. He scored 9 goals in his debut season in the Barclays Premier League, and has carried that form on into the current campaign. The 23-year old has already matched his last year’s goal tally in 22 matches so far this season, and is showing no signs of stopping.

Mourinho’s return to the club was a blessing for Hazard, who has been able to improve his overall game under the Portuguese manager. The former Real Madrid boss demanded more from Hazard in his daily training, and that has delivered benefits on the pitch.

Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or for 2013, and Hazard has made his admiration of the prize clear through the media. Hazard’s creativity backed by his technical skills make him a danger for any opposition, and the pundits have touted him as the next big thing in world football if he continues to progress at the current rate. With a UEFA Champions League crown already won at the club, the immediate future looks bright for Hazard, who could have the opportunity to lift many more trophies.