Former England winger John Barnes has insisted Chelsea are the right club for Eden Hazard as he won’t receive the same kind of freedom at other big clubs.
Hazard was linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer but the attacker decided against changing clubs during the recently concluded transfer window.
However, the Belgian is yet to sign a new contract with the club and could look to leave next summer, when there will only be one year left on his current deal, if Chelsea do not qualify for the Champions League again.
But Barnes indicated that Hazard could feel stifled at other big clubs as he would have to fit into a set system, while at Chelsea he is allowed to take liberties when on the ball.
Hazard has been in terrific form under Maurizio Sarri at the start of the season but the former winger feels it is down to the fact that he is allowed the freedom to play the way he wants to at Chelsea.
Barnes told beIN Sports: “If you see the way Eden Hazard plays – he has 30 to 40 touches with the ball at times, he plays one-twos and he does what he wants.
“If he goes to Real Madrid, he wouldn’t be able to do that.
"He goes to a club where he would have to fit into a system, as you see what happens with Belgium, which is why they have not gone on to maximise their potential.
“You may say he is possibly the best individual player, but Chelsea are the right club for him because I watched him score a hat-trick and at times you think he should play it simple, but he doesn’t and there are no repercussions on him because they accept that at Chelsea.
“At a Barcelona or Real Madrid, they wouldn’t accept that.”
Hazard was rested for Chelsea's Thursday night Europa League win in Greece over PAOK Salonika.
