Chris McHardy

Hazard, 24, has shone for Jose Mourinho’s side this season, scoring 13 goals in 30 league games as the Blues close in on a Premier League and League Cup double.

The Belgian’s dazzling performances this season have been lauded by players and pundits alike, with Shevchenko among his growing legion of admirers.

[Eden]Hazard is a great player. I think he can now easily reach Ronaldo and Messi’s level,” said Shevchenko.

“He’s had a fabulous season – the best of his career - and has the potential to get even better. It all depends on him.”

Shevchenko was at Stamford Bridge last weekend as his former side took a decisive towards a third league title under Mourinho’s reign with a Hazard-inspired 1-0 win over Manchester United.

The Blues have rarely hit the heights of their devastating early season form in recent weeks, but can clinch the title with victory at Arsenal on Sunday and Leicester next Wednesday.

“It has been a great season for Chelsea,” said Shevchenko who spent three years at the club between 2006-2009.

“They have been working hard. Chelsea always look good even when sometimes they don’t play great because they keep winning. It’s the key to winning titles.”

Shevchenko is currently in Dubai where he is taking part in the Icons Cup, a celebrity golf tournament that pits the US against the Rest of the World in a Ryder Cup-tournament.

A one-handicapped golfer, Shevchenko has enjoying swapping the football pitch for the fairways and spending more time with his wife and children following his retirement in 2012.

But he hasn’t ruled out the prospect of a return to football in the future having recently earned his UEFA Pro License.

“I finished my coaching badges a few months ago,” revealed Shevchenko. “But I will take a little more time to decide what to do.

“I want to dedicate my time to the family. I have four boys. Two are still young – one and two years - so it’s important to me that I give my time to them.

“It’s too early to talk about what I’d like to do in football.”

One man who needn’t look over his shoulder at Shevchenko’s seemingly impending move into management is AC Milan boss Filippo Inzaghi.

The two men were team-mates during their time together at the San Siro, and Shevchenko is convinced ‘Pippo’ is the right man for the job despite the Rossoneri languishing 10th in Serie A.

“The club is in transition. It’s a hard time. But Milan are a great club and I’m convinced they’ll be back.

“Of course, Inzaghi is the right man. He is a young manager and needs more experience. Give him a few years and he’ll be a great manager.”