Eden Hazard names Mohamed Salah as one of three best players in Premier League but he is not his choice for Player of the Year

Alex Broun 17:54 04/03/2018
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  • The goal scoring exploits of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah have drawn plaudits from around the world, but the latest praise has come from a surprising source – Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.

    The 27-year-old Belgian playmaker named Salah as one of the three best players in the Premier League along with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Spurs’ Harry Kane.

    Hazard also revealed that of the trio it was his fellow country-man De Bruyne, rather than his former Chelsea team-mate, who got his vote for PFA Player of the Year.

    “I think there are three (best players in the Premier League) – Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane,” Hazard told Sky Sports.

    “I voted for Kevin De Bruyne. He is the best. I could have also voted for Salah because I played with him (at Chelsea) and he’s my friend but Salah is more a striker than a player.

    “Kevin has got everything. He defends, crosses the ball, assists and scores goals in big games. For me, he is the best this season.”

    Hazard insisted his friendship with De Bruyne would be put on hold for Sunday’s crunch Premier League clash with City at Etihad Stadium, with kick-off set for 20:00 UAE time.

    “I’m happy to see Kevin before kick-off but for 90 minutes I’ll try to forget he’s my friend,” Hazard continued.

    “I like to make jokes with my friends in the tunnel but as soon as the referee blows the whistle I’m focused on the game.

    “After the game – win lose or draw – I will shake his hand and say ‘see you in March with the national team’.”

    Despite Hazard’s ranking stats actually support Salah as this season’s standout player.

    Salah has scored 24 goals with eight assists in the Premier League this term while De Bruyne has seven goals and 14 assists.

    But Hazard is standing by his choice.

    Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (L) runs with the ball next to Belgium's midfielder Eden Hazard (R) during the friendly game Switzerland against Belgium on May 28, 2016, at the Stade de Geneve in Geneva. / AFP / PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images)

    Hazard (r) in action for Belgium with De Bruyne

    “Kevin’s fantastic,” Hazard said. “He’s clever on and off the pitch. He’s in full confidence as he’s playing in the best team in the Premier League this year.

    “When he’s on the pitch with good players, he’s one of the best in the world. Every time he has the ball at his feet he can do something magic.

    “He doesn’t score a lot of goals but he can create something with just one movement or pass. It’s simple, he’s a special player.”

    The challenge for Chelsea today though is not just shutting down De Bruyne as he is only one of City’s multi-pronged attacking threats.

    “City are a team,” continued Hazard, “not just one player. I can tell my team-mates to stop De Bruyne or (Sergio) Aguero but they have 11 players, they are not just two players.”

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