Branislav Ivanovic is confident that his former Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard will contribute a lot to Real Madrid.
The Serbian defender hailed the Belgian forward's talent and made clear that everything would be different if he hadn't suffered a couple of injury setbacks.
In an interview for MARCA, the current Zenit Saint Petersburg player also discussed his future plans, Frank Lampard's start as Chelsea coach and Serbia's chances of qualifying for the 2020 European Championships.
Your role in the dressing room is also key due to your experience.
Yes, I think so. In any club it is important to have a balance between the most experienced players, youngsters and those who are very important to the team. There are many factors that come together in football. And I think my role in the team is more than just being the captain and the example of many things.
Have you ever had to remind any of the young players how your arrival was at Chelsea?
I didn't play much, I didn't have experience and the team was already complete. It was a tough stage. Avram Grant was the coach, but in June [Felipe] Scolari arrived and gave me a few minutes. Then came [Guus] Hiddink, who gave me a great opportunity. I played in many games with him, I gained confidence and my best moment at the club came with [Carlo] Ancelotti.
Do you follow Chelsea who are now coached by your former teammate Frank Lampard?
Frank is the right person, in the right place and in any job he will succeed. The problem with coaches is that they need results and titles, but I think they are doing a fantastic job and it is not easy. If he does [as well] as a coach as he did as a player...
Do you contemplate being a coach in the future?
I am not sure. It's a completely different job, with another approach to the game, in regards to mentality and psychology. I have to think about it, because I don't like having two jobs at the same time. Now I am a player and I want to be 100 percent focused on it. We'll see what the future holds for me.
Eden Hazard, another former Chelsea teammate, has not been so lucky, for now, at Real Madrid.
I think he is not well physically. He was injured a couple of times, but everyone knows that Hazard is one of the best and will prove it. For me he is one of the best players, with excellent quality. I wish him lots of success and good luck. Of course, without injuries it would be easier. Real Madrid is the biggest team in the world and the pressure is different from that of the Premier League, but I think he is a player who can face it and I hope that next season he has no injuries.
Do you think he is a player who makes a difference in a title race and can live up to price Madrid have paid for him?
I was lucky not to play much against him, but I enjoyed watching him play against other defences and, in a short time, he made Chelsea fly. So I hope he will recover physically and start giving his best for Real Madrid.