Ivan Rakitic highlights Eden Hazard as Chelsea’s most important player
Ivan Rakitic believes Eden Hazard is a world-class player and insists his Barcelona teammates are fully aware of the Chelsea forward’s recent form.
Antonio Conte’s side host the La Liga leaders at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday evening.
Hazard heads into the fixture against Barcelona off the back of an impressive run of performances, scoring six goals in his last six appearances.
Asked what Barcelona’s players think of Hazard and whether he should be considered as a world-class player, Rakitic said: ‘Yeah, for me he is.
‘He’s maybe the most important player for Chelsea.
‘But we know Chelsea is not only Hazard.
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‘For sure, we have to be ready tomorrow to stop him, we know he’s really fast, that he searches one-against-ones.
‘I think his last games he’s been in really good form, so we have to be ready for him.’
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