Eden Hazard is a 'difference maker' for Chelsea, says Southampton boss Ronald Koeman

Dutch coach praises two-goal Belgian

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Eden Hazard is a difference maker for Chelsea, according to Southampton manager Ronald Koeman who praised the Belgian’s performance in the 6-0 win against Maribor.

Koeman, who won the European Cup twice as a player with PSV and Barcelona, praised the 23-year-old who scored twice for the Blues in an easy Group G win.

“Hazard is playing on a very high level,” Koeman said on Sky Sports.

“You can compare how he is playing with Neymar and Luis Suarez because he made the difference.”

Jose Mourinho may have to start with third-choice striker Diego Costa on Sunday at Manchester United after Loic Remy joined Diego Costa on the treatment table.

Koeman added: “Chelsea have a good defence and are physical in midfield but if Costa comes back in a good physical state, he will make the difference as [Didier] Drogba is respected but not what he was.”