GETTY Eden Hazard in training with Pedro on Chelsea's pre-season tour

Hazard, along with most of the rest of the Chelsea squad, had a dismal season last year, as Chelsea finished in a lowly 10th place, their lowest League position since 1996.



The Belgian scored just six times and created seven assists in all competitions - compared to 19 goals and 11 assists in the previous campaign, when he was named Player of the Year and helped Chelsea win the Premier League and Capital One Cup.



Hazard has often been tipped to become as good as Lionel Messi, who found the net 41 times for Barcelona last season alone – and new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has stated that his man could be that good.



Spain winger Pedro played alongside Messi for several years at Barcelona before moving to Stamford Bridge 11 months ago - and has seen enough of Hazard to know what he can achieve.

Chelsea stars work hard in pre-season training during USA tour Tue, July 26, 2016 Chelsea players have been working hard in training as they embark on their pre-season tour of the US Play slideshow Chelsea FC via Getty Images 1 of 10 Chelsea have been training hard at the start of their pre-season tour in the USA

Pedro said: "When it comes to Messi, we are talking about a player I believe is still the best in the world. He really is on a different level to other players.



"But Hazard is a very, very good player, you can see his technique is excellent and he has shown everything at Chelsea.



"He is still young, so he is going to continue improving to one day be among the very best in the world.



"It's always going to be difficult to compete with a player of Lionel's ability, but Eden has all the qualities to do exactly that.

"He has that ability and talent to stand out from the crowd, to make the difference and be decisive. When you see him produce moments of magic, it is easy to draw comparisons with Messi."



Hazard arrived in Los Angeles with the rest of the Chelsea squad for the start of the club's pre-season tour on Sunday. The Belgium skipper, along with compatriot Thibaut Courtois, was given an extended break after Euro 2016 and is working under new coach Conte for the first time.



The 25-year-old has a lot of expectations from the fans to live up to, but Pedro is confident he can cope.