Eden Hazard is ‘too good for Chelsea’ and needs to leave the club, says former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas

Eden Hazard is “too good for Chelsea” and has outgrown the team, according to former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas.

Hazard has been long sought after by Real Madrid and speculation is growing which suggests he could make a big-money move to the current European champions.

The 28-year-old continues to excel at Chelsea and has 12 goals and nine assists so far this season.

He has 18 months left on his contract with the Blues but has so far refused to rule out a summer exit.

Jenas praised Hazard’s performance against his former club Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, despite their 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, and believes the Belgian must look elsewhere to fulfil his potential.

“I thought he was unplayable at times,” Jenas told BBC Radio 5 live’s Football Daily podcast.

“I actually said (during the match commentary) that I think he is too good for Chelsea.

“Chelsea are obviously a top, top side, but I think he has outgrown them. I think he has outgrown his position within that team.

“He needs to move on. He is above a level of everybody else that is around him.”

Hazard has won two Premier League titles with the Blues since arriving from Lille during September 2007, and helped the team to FA Cup success last season.

Jenas, though, feels Sarri is not utilising the full talents of the Belgian, who helped his county finish third at the 2018 World Cup.

“You’re definitely not getting the best out of Hazard (playing him through the middle),” said Jenas.

“You get the best out of him on the left, doing what he wants to do, dropping into midfield, breaking from deep, running at players. That’s how he scores a lot of his goals.

“Up top, with his back to goal, he is a lot easier to deal with. He is still a danger, but he is much easier to handle.”