Chelsea: Zinedine Zidane praises 'spectacular' Eden Hazard

Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has compared Eden Hazard to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as he backed the Belgian to recapture his form at Chelsea. Hazard has struggled for form this campaign after being named the best player in the Premier League last time out, with just one goal to his name in 18 appearances across all competitions.

The 24-year-old's slump has coincided with a dreadful sequence of results for defending champions Chelsea, who sit just three points above the relegation zone in 16th place. But Zidane, who now coaches Real Madrid Castilla, said he was confident Hazard's quality would eventually shine through and was coy on a potential bid from Real Madrid for the winger.

"I have no doubts he'll be back," Zidane was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "After Messi and Ronaldo, Hazard is my favourite player. It is spectacular to see him play."

"Do I see him going to Real Madrid? I love the player, that's all I will say."

Chelsea woes

Hazard is a major doubt for Belgium's friendly with Spain in Brussels on 17 November after missing training through illness, according to FourFourTwo. The former Lille star played the full 90 minutes of Belgium's 3-1 victory over Italy last week.

Meanwhile, Hazard's teammate at Chelsea, Cesc Fabregas, has voiced his anger at the Blues' shambolic defence of the Premier League title.

"Things aren't working out and the results aren't doing our performances justice. We're playing better but aren't having any luck," Fabregas told Spanish daily Marca.

"When things are going your way, you flick the ball with your heel and it flies into the top corner, whereas now every pile driver is going off target.

"Either way, we need to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later."

Jose Mourinho's men return to league action at the weekend with a home encounter against Norwich City followed by a trip to Israel to take on Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League.