Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has backed Blues teammate Eden Hazard to win the Ballon d'Or.
Hazard has been influential in both of Chelsea's recent Premier League title wins, but was beaten to the Player of the Year award last season by N'Golo Kante.
The 26-year-old Belgian, who has scored eight goals this term, could match Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in winning the coveted award, according to Fabregas.
"He is a player who can do one on one, he can get possession of the ball, he can pass and has great ability with the ball," the Spaniard told Sky Sports News. "With Eden, if he wants to win the Ballon d'Or it's up to him.
"I've played football for a long time and played with top, top players and he has all the quality, I know what he can do. I have told him that it's up to him, I like to be honest.
"In my opinion, he has the quality. Without the ball he's very difficult to bring down and get the ball off him. When he is on top of his game he's up there with the very best."
Hazard's highest Ballon d'Or ranking in his career was eighth, which he achieved in 2015 after Chelsea lifted the Premier League for a fourth time.
Jonny Whitfield
