Tuesday, 23rd September, 2014



Former Lille reserve and youth coach Rachid Chihab believes that Eden Hazard is on course to win the Ballon d'Or in future, with a little help from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

Chihab worked as Lille youth boss between 1992 and 2009 before switching to take charge of the club's reserve outfit from 2009 until 2013. And he guided Hazard's development, seeing the young Belgian work his way through the ranks before shining in the senior team.



Hazard moved to Chelsea for €40m in 2012, but Chihab has continued to keep a close watch on his career and is delighted at the continued progress he has seen the forward make.

"Eden Hazard has the talent, potential and ability to one day win the Ballon d'Or", Chihab told Belgian TV programme Tribune.

 


"With the coach that he has today, he is on the right track."

relatedNewsStory

Chihab also explained that Hazard was mature beyond his years at the age of 14 to 15 and was marked out as having the mentality to succeed.

"He is someone who was armed psychologically for a high level. For his age he showed great emotional stability at 14 or 15 at Lille, the characteristics of a high level player.

"He had the chance to come to Lille and to be at a good academy that allowed him to flourish, to express himself and become the player he is today."

And the Belgium international has taken another step forward in his development as an elite player at Stamford Bridge, Chihab believes.

"He has taken on a new dimension and he has become decisive.

"He is a boy who just needs support.

"You can't teach him anything about football. He's got everything.

"You just need to put the framework around him and make sure he doesn't have to do everything", the former Lille coach concluded.

 


Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.