Joe Cole: "Eden Hazard is different class"

Joe Cole has compared his Lille teammate Eden Hazard to Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney.

Hazard is widely regarded as one of the best young talents in European football, an opinion shared by Liverpool loanee Cole.

"Hazard is different class. He's still only 21 years old and has definitely got another few gears to go up. He's got the same attitude as Rooney at that age. He's fearless," Cole said to talkSPORT.

"He knows how good he is, and that's a positive thing. All the top players have got that belief and a bit of presence and arrogance, and he's like that.

"He's a bit like Messi. There's only one Messi and I don't want to put pressure on the kid, but he's like him - short, squat, powerful legs, great touch, he can finish, he's got everything."

The Belgian international is expected to leave the French champions during the summer, with Inter Milan, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester City all linked with signing the attacker.