Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard could become “one of the best players in the world” if he gets protection from referees, according to former Blues star Pat Nevin.
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Hazard, 24, who has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract at the club, is the most fouled player in the league this season, with opposing players being penalised 74 times.
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“If he’s going to last his five-and-a-half years he’s got to get a bit more protection than he’s getting just now,” Nevin told BBC Sport.
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“If he gets that then he could turn out to be one of the best players in the world. If he gets that, then he would be right on the coat-tails of Messi and Ronaldo.”
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The Belgium international has scored 13 times in 36 appearances this season and seen 28 opposing players booked for tackles against him.
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“It’s great news for the club. It looks as though he is going to now be a Chelsea player for the majority of the best part of his career and I for one am excited to keep watching him as a part of our game.
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“Too often we are losing the best players out of the Premier League.”
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