Mikel: Hazard has an incredible talent, but he didn't like to train hard

John Obi Mikel has praised former Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard’s talent, while calling into question his work ethic.

“Hazard has an incredible talent,” Mikel told beIN Sports in Turkey . “Maybe not as good as [Lionel] Messi, but he can do whatever he wants with the ball at his feet.

“He didn’t like to train hard. While we were working he was waiting for us to finish training just standing there. But on Sundays he was always man of the match, it was unbelievable.”

When asked who the hardest working player he’s played alongside was he said “Frank Lampard,” with no hesitation whatsoever.

Hazard’s move to Spain has not gone entirely to plan. He has missed time through injury and not had a tremendous impact when he has been on the pitch, scoring just once in 11 games for the club.

Mikel now makes his living playing in Turkey for Trabzonspor and he believes one player he plays alongside there could be the equal of Messi.

Abdulkadir Omur is only 20, and has made just two league appearances this season, but Mikel sees unlimited potential in the youngster.

"When I saw him in training, I said to myself, 'Maybe a Messi will not come to the world, but this child is very similar to Messi,” he added.

“I know Messi very well because he always had the duty of defending himself in the matches we played against Barcelona and Argentina. Abdulkadir creates a piece of Messi watching with every move he makes."