Eden Hazard was among five players Cristiano Ronaldo backed to replace him at the pinnacle of world football in 2016. The Belgian proved instrumental for Chelsea but struggled to meet expectations during his stint with Real Madrid.

The former Lille winger was highly sought after in 2012 when Chelsea secured his services for £32million from the French outfit and he certainly delivered on his promise. He made an instant impression at Stamford Bridge and by his third campaign there he had clinched the Premier League title.

Hazard's form dipped somewhat following that championship triumph, though he remained an integral figure within Chelsea's ranks. In 2019, he departed for Real Madrid in an eye-watering £130m deal, but significantly underperformed throughout his spell in the Spanish capital.

Three years earlier, Los Blancos legend Ronaldo had been questioned about a selection of players he believed could step into his shoes as one of football's few elite performers.

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