Just over a decade ago Gianfranco Zola was voted the greatest Chelsea player of all time in a poll of the club's supporters.

This may seem a little premature, but as Eden Hazard prepares for to make his 100th Barclays Premier League appearance for Chelsea at QPR on Sunday, the little magician could have a rival in years to come.

Hazard is some player, one of the elite in English football with those dazzling runs and the sparkling feet that can open up the best defences in the league.

Eden Hazard has developed into one of the world's best players after flourishing at Chelsea

Hazard has proven himself as a goalscorer and a creator of chances during his time with Chelsea

Hazard celebrates scoring against Hull earlier this season as Chelsea march towards the Premier League title

This season he has been imperious, full of movement and flexibility as Chelsea close in on a double of Capital One Cup and Premier League in Jose Mourinho's second season back at Stamford Bridge.

After Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in February at the Parc des Princes, Mourinho demanded more protection from referees for Hazard. Chelsea's dancing winger is a marked man.

The PFA young player of the year had been fouled nine times, with Laurent Blanc's team taking it in turns to nobble the Chelsea No 10 in the first leg of their Champions League second round tie.

He has scored some special goals, 17 so far with another nine assists, as Mourinho's team close in on a fourth Premier League title in the Abramovich era.

On Sunday, April 26 the PFA players' player of the year award could be his, joining a list of winners that includes Luis Suarez, Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and his Chelsea team-mate John Terry in recent times.

He has grown to love English football, adapting to the demands of the Premier League and the numerous managers he has already played for since his move from Lille in 2012.

Roberto Di Matteo was still Chelsea's manager when Hazard tweeted that he was joining 'this season's Champions League winner' ahead of his £32million move from France.

He made an impressive start in the Premier League, assisting the opening goal for Chelsea in the 2-0 victory at Wigan and winning the penalty for Frank Lampard to convert at the DW Stadium.

Hazard joined Chelsea from Lille for £32million in 2012 after the Blues beat a host to clubs to his signature

I'm signing for the champion's league winner. — Eden Hazard (@hazardeden10) May 28, 2012

Hazard was involved in a controversial incident at Swansea when he kicked the ball as it lay under the ball boy

Hazard was sent off after the ball-boy incident as Chelsea were beaten in the Capital One Cup semi-final

Hazard, his wife Natasha and their kids enjoy some off time at Disneyland Paris

HAZARD IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE Appearances 99 Minutes Played 8187 Goals Scored 35 Minutes per Goal 233.91 Shots On Target 86 Shots Off Target 57 Blocked Shots 55 Shooting Accuracy 60.14 Shots to Goal Conversion Rate 24.48 Assists 25 Chances Created (inc assists) 244 Total Passes Made 4768 Pass Accuracy 85.3 Crosses & Corners 232 Cross & Corner Accuracy 16.81 Tackles Made 76 Tackles Won 62 Duels 1362 Duels Won 710 Fouls Won 260 Offsides 17 Yellow Cards 6 Red Cards 0 Touches 6804

Di Matteo loved him as a player and he went through a notable dip in form when the European Cup-winning coach was fired after the 4-1 defeat against Juventus in the Champions League.

A few months later he was sent off when he infamously wrestled with a ball-boy during Chelsea's Capital One Cup semi-final defeat against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

He finished the season with a Europa League medal after Chelsea's victory over Benfica the Amsterdam ArenA, but it is the arrival of Mourinho that has transformed his game.

Last season there was a period of frustration among Chelsea's first team players because they shared the view of the coach that they had signed a world class talent.

Despite his ability he was often one of the first to leave after training, heading home to his family - wife Natasha and their two young children, after a quick shower and lunch with his team-mates. Slowly he has bought into dressing room culture.

There is a ruthless streak about him these days and Mourinho, to his credit, drew it out of him after meeting Hazard's father, along with his lawyer, after Belgium's disappointing World Cup in Brazil.

Hazard has grown in stature since he was handed Juan Mata's old No 10 shirt, requesting the jersey after the winger left for Manchester United in January 2014.

The No 10 shirt is also the number of his hero Zinedine Zidane, the player a young Hazard idolised when he was making his way through Belgian football before his move to Lille.

In recent times he has been encouraged to drift across the front three positions, interchanging with Oscar (in the centre) and Willian (on the right) when it takes his fancy.

Hazard helped Chelsea win the Europa League under Rafa Benitez when they beat Benfica in the final

Hazard, pictured alongside Luis Suarez, was named the PFA Young Player of the Year last season

Hazard added a second trophy to his Chelsea collection this season when the Blues won the Capital One Cup

Jose Mourinho transformed Hazard's game after he suffered a dip following the departure of Roberto Di Matteo

Mourinho poses with Hazard after he was named Chelsea's Player of the Year last season

He is the focal point of Chelsea's attack, a willing outlet with a first touch that you can melt when he takes it on the instep of his right boot.

He has been scoring goals again, adding to his tally this season in recent weeks with strikes for club and country as the season hurtles towards the finish line.

At 24 he is maturing nicely, a humble man who impressed Chelsea's hierarchy during the complex negotiations over a new contract towards the end of last year.

He has never been responsible for the glut of stories linking him with a move back to France to play for Paris Saint-Germain and he consistently told the club that he was willing to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Hazard's contract talks were reminiscent of Gary Neville at Manchester United, leaving it with the club to determine the terms on his new five-year contract. Chelsea settled on £200,000 a week.

To those who know him, he speaks of trophies and a hunger to be remembered as a player who contributed to one of the most successful periods in Chelsea's history.

Given time, he could even be remembered as the very best.

Hazard recently signed a bumper new five-year deal at Chelsea worth £200,000 a week