Hazard says 'incredible' Salah is at a level he hopes to 'reach'

Eden Hazard has revealed the players he looks up to in world football, and that list includes Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

Salah and Hazard are close friends, and former teammates at Chelsea, but the Egyptian left London for Italy in 2015 having struggled to establish himself under Jose Mourinho.

But following successful spells in Serie A with Fiorentina and AS Roma, Salah returned to the Premier League with a bang two years later, scoring 46 goals for club and country in the 2017-18 campaign.

Little wonder, then, that players feel inspired. But it’s not only Salah catching Hazard’s eye.

Hazard’s contract expires in two summer’s time, and is widely expected to leave Chelsea this summer with Real Madrid his most likely destination.

A move to Santiago Bernabeu would see Hazard line-up alongside Luka Modric, another of the players listed by the Belgian.

In an interview with NBC Sports aired ahead of last weekend’s Premier League meeting with Everton, Hazard was asked whether there are any current footballers he is looking to emulate.

“I like Modric,” replied the Belgian. “He’s more of a midfielder than me but, of course, I like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

“Mo Salah is one of my good friends and he’s doing something incredible,” he continued. “I try to look at this player and this player and try to reach that level.”