Hazard: Mata is Chelsea´s best player

Eden Hazard has labelled Chelsea team-mate Juan Mata as the club’s best talent, after both were nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award.

The midfield duo have excelled this season, though Hazard is adamant the Spain international is more deserving of the award.

Belgian star Hazard has also been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award and would be happy to see compatriots Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke take the prize, while stressing that individual accolades are less important than silverware for the team.

“In France I was voted the best player by other players, which was a big honour,” Hazard told Chelsea’s official website.

“It is good for me, but it is not so important. It is very nice to be nominated, but I am just happy to play well this season. But maybe we can win in the Europa League, which would be more important.

“It is about the team, not individual personal performances. Players want to win trophies, and so the Europa League would be better, and hopefully we can be back in the Champions League next season.

“Juan is nominated also and he played very well this season, scoring and making assists. For me he has been our best player.

“On the young list there is Lukaku and Benteke, the Belgians! Whoever wins I will be happy for them, but like I said, the team winning is more interesting to me.”