Eden Hazard: 'Special' Kevin De Bruyne is best player in Premier League

High praise | Eden Hazard says Kevin De Bruyne (pictured) is a 'special player'
Stu Forster/Getty Images
Vaishali Bhardwaj4 March 2018

Eden Hazard has labelled his compatriot Kevin De Bruyne a "special player" and believes the Manchester City midfielder is the best footballer in the Premier League this season.

Hazard will come up against De Bruyne when Chelsea play City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with the latter having enjoyed a scintillating season in which he has netted seven goals for the runaway leaders and created 14 others.

Hazard knows De Bruyne well having previously played with him at Chelsea, and now in the Belgium national team.

And ahead of the champions taking on the champions-elect on Sunday afternoon, Hazard has praised De Bruyne saying the 26-year-old creates magic every time he touches the ball on the pitch.

"He's fantastic," Hazard told Sky Sports. "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."

While De Bruyne has shone for City, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Tottenham striker Harry Kane have done the same at their respective clubs - with the pair both leading the goalscoring charts with 24 strikes each.

But Hazard admitted he voted for De Bruyne ahead of Salah and Kane in this season's PFA Player of the Year awards because the midfielder can create goals as well as finish them off.

"I think there are three (best players in the Premier League) - Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane," Hazard added. "I voted for Kevin De Bruyne. He is the best.

"I could have also voted for Salah because I played with him 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."

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