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Assistant coach Zola, who scored 80 goals in 312 matches at Chelsea between 1996 and 2003, did not need time to place Hazard at the top of the Stamford Bridge stack among rookies at 39; abroad.
Didier Drogba and Zola, an Ivorian hit, would undoubtedly be at the forefront of fans' minds as they draw up a list of Chelsea's biggest imports.
But Zola is categorical. Hazard must dominate this ranking, while acknowledging that he still hopes that the Belgian playmaker will not leave for Real Madrid this summer.
"Eden Hazard is definitely at the top," said Zola, ranking the 28-year-old among Chelsea's top rookies abroad.
"He's such an amazing player, the more I spend with him, the more I appreciate him as a player, but also as a boy.
"He's been great, I'd love to have it longer, what we're trying to do here fits him perfectly, it's no coincidence that he's having his best season."
"I do not want anything to take away from him and what he's accomplished, but the way we play helps a lot."
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri (left) and Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard: Belgian striker scores equalizer for Chelsea against Wolves at Stamford Bridge
Madrid should move Hazard away from Chelsea this summer, the current contract between Stamford Bridge and the belgian star expiring at the end of next season.
However, Chelsea continues to hold for 100 million pounds. Real boss Zinedine Zidane wants to add the livewire to his Bernabeu reconstruction project.
Hazard has 85 goals and 81 badists in 241 Premier League appearances with Chelsea since his debut in 2012.
Despite the hope of keeping the Belgian in Chelsea's next term, Zola insisted that the Blues could still stop the campaign by winning the Europa League and placing fourth in the Premier League.
Gianfranco Zola is the current deputy director of Chelsea.
"Of course, we hope that Hazard will stay with us because he is such an important player for us," said Zola.
"There is a lot of discussion around this team, I realize it.
"But we coaches have to make sure that we are not distracted by all this."
"We have to stay focused because this year I have often heard that the season has been bad.
"But if we can reach the final and maybe win the Europa League and finish fourth in the Premier League, I think the season could be remarkable."
- Click on the image below to read our tips for the Europa League on Thursday …
Our best bets for the last round of the Europa League
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