Zinedine Zidane has stepped up Real Madrid’s bid to crowbar yet another player out of the Premier League by revealing his admiration for Eden Hazard.
Chelsea’s Double Player of the Year has already been targeted by the Spanish giants and cash-laden French outfit PSG.
Zidane , whose overtures to Gareth Bale ended up luring the Welshman away from Spurs two years ago, said: “After Messi and Ronaldo, Hazard is my favourite player.
“I love watching him because he is a player who creates things and it is often spectacular to see him play.
“Do I see him going to Real Madrid ? Ask someone else. I love the player and that’s all.”
It is the second time this year that Zidane has talked up Chelsea’s prize asset. In April he said: “Obviously, there is Lionel Messi and Ronaldo, both of whom are spectacular, but I like Eden Hazard more.
“I like everything he does on the field. I like his behaviour, his decisiveness and love to see his progress every year.”
Hazard went on to sign a new five-year deal at Stamford Bridge. But he has under-performed over the past three months as Chelsea have plunged to 16th in the table.
The 24-year-old’s relationship with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is also understood to be strained.
But Zidane, coach of Real’s reserve team Castilla, has thrown the Belgian his support.
He said: “I’m still a fan of Eden. Every career has its highs and lows. I have no doubts. He will be back.”
