Chelsea Star Could Replace Messi

Lille president Michel Seydoux believes that Eden Hazard will eventually move from Chelsea to Barcelona, insisting he's already made a bet on the playmaker replacing Lionel Messi in the team.

The transfer saga surrounding Hazard lasted years before he finally chose the Blues, with the 21 year old announcing on his Twitter that he would be moving to the west London side over Manchester United and City.

After settling in very quickly at Chelsea, Hazard has been one of the shining lights for the side this season, and his goals and assists have helped the side to the top of the table after four matches.

But Seydoux has bigger predictions for the Belgium international, and believes that he will yet move on from Chelsea as he continues to outshine his teammates on the pitch.

"I made a bet with people," Seydoux told L'Equipe. "The bet was that Hazard would play for Barcelona. He is a phenomenon and one day he will replace Lionel Messi in the Barca team.

"I am convinced of that."

Chelsea pulled off a massive coup in securing Hazard in the last transfer window, and his confidence has so far been backed up by some brilliant performances for the club.

But the star insisted in a recent interview that he wasn't trying to take over the spotlight from the other players in the team, and is as happy to provide assists as to score goals.

"I love to set up my team-mates," he said. "I am not here to be a star, to show off. I am here to play for the others, but if I have to try and clinch a game then I will.

"At Lille, coach (Rudi) Garcia made me play on the wing, which I liked because it means you are more free - you do what you want offensively even if you have to defend a lot.

"People will see me at Chelsea the way I am and judge me the way they want to."

And so far Hazard has shown that he was worth every penny of his sky high transfer fee, and the work involved in keeping him from the clutches of the Manchester clubs was also worth it.