Eden Hazard is “too good for Chelsea” and has outgrown the team, according to former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas.
Belgian playmaker Hazard again impressed during the Blues’ 1-0 defeat by Spurs in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Wembley, where he was deployed once more as a false nine by Maurizio Sarri.
The 28-year-old, contracted to Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2020, has continued to be linked with a big-money transfer to Real Madrid.
Jenas, who made more than 150 appearances for Tottenham during a playing career which was cut short by injury, believes the Belgian must look elsewhere to fulfil his potential.
“I thought he was unplayable at times,” Jenas told BBC Radio 5 live’s Football Daily podcast.
“I actually said (during the match commentary) that I think he is too good for Chelsea.
“Chelsea are obviously a top, top side, but I think he has outgrown them. I think he has outgrown his position within that team.
“He needs to move on. He is above a level of everybody else that is around him.”
Hazard has won two Premier League titles with the Blues since arriving from Lille during September 2007, and helped the team to FA Cup success last season.
Jenas, though, feels Sarri is not utilising the full talents of the Belgian, who helped his county finish third at the 2018 World Cup.
“You’re definitely not getting the best out of Hazard (playing him through the middle),” said Jenas.
“You get the best out of him on the left, doing what he wants to do, dropping into midfield, breaking from deep, running at players. That’s how he scores a lot of his goals.
“Up top, with his back to goal, he is a lot easier to deal with. He is still a danger, but he is much easier to handle.”