• Premier League

Dembele: Premier League right for Hazard

ESPN staff
May 29, 2012

Moussa Dembele is backing Belgian compatriot Eden Hazard to shine in the Premier League after the Lille playmaker confirmed he will be joining Chelsea.

Hazard, 21, had been linked with a number of Europe's top sides after impressing for Lille in recent seasons, helping the club claim a league and cup double in 2011.

After intense speculation over his future, with Manchester United and City reported as potential suitors, Hazard revealed on Monday he will be signing for Chelsea this summer.

Dembele, who plies his trade for Fulham, predicts that his fellow Belgian will prove a success in England's top flight, despite his relatively diminutive size.

"It's a good choice from Eden," Dembele said. "He has the quality to succeed in every competition in Europe but the English competition is the best in the world so it will be good for his development.

"Eden is quite small, but in the last couple of years more small players have arrived in the Premier League like (David) Silva, (Juan) Mata and before that (Luka) Modric - and Hazard can certainly be like them.

"I think he will need a little time to adapt but it won't take long."

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