Only Lionel Messi is above Eden Hazard says Cesc Fabregas urging Chelsea teammate 'to be selfish'

Only Lionel Messi comes above Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard with regards to ability, according to Cesc Fabregas.

Hazard came off the bench after being rested to score the Blues' third goal in extra-time against Tottenham in their 4-2 FA Cup semi-final win at Wembley on Saturday (22 April).

The Belgian then turned provider as he assisted Nemanja Matic to score a fourth and seal their place in the final in style.

Hazard, who also scored a brace in Chelsea's recent 2-1 league win over Manchester City, has now scored four goals in his last four games to bring his season's tally to 15 goals and six assists in 36 games in all competitions.

"Eden can be whatever he wants to be," he said, as quoted on Sky Sports. "Ability wise, there is only one player above him and we all know who he is: Messi."

While the 26-year-old undoubtedly has the talent, his highest goalscoring tally at current league leaders Chelsea is 19 goals in all competitions, which pales in comparison to the numbers that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo notch up on a yearly basis.

The former Arsenal captain advised Hazard to be more selfish in front of the goal if he wants to get better.

"Sometimes when we have a counter-attack and it's two against two and he passes the ball, I tell him, 'You have the capability to score by yourself. Do it'," Fabregas explained. "He has to do it more often."

"I've told him many, many times, he needs to be selfish sometimes and have that killer instinct to score more goals. I hope - and I'm sure - he will improve in the future. And then he will be unstoppable."