'Hazard would fit in seamlessly at Real'

Hazard's contract is up at the end of next season, and he has been consistently linked with a move to the Bernabeu, even going so far as to admit it is a childhood dream of his to play in the Spanish capital. 

"When Real Madrid or Barcelona come knocking especially with foreign players that have come over to the Premier League it is very difficult to turn them down," Higginbotham said.

"It doesn't matter who you are whether you are Coutinho, Suarez, Ronaldo to name just a few, Modric as well.

"So obviously it's going to be very difficult and he [Hazard] would fit in seamlessly at a club like Real Madrid, there's no doubt about it, but it would be a real shame if he was to leave the Premier League."

Hazard is the Premier League's top scorer so far this season, with seven goals. His play has carried Chelsea to joint top of the table, and Higginbotham believes Maurzio Sarri's side can sustain their title challenge against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City. 

"They've had a fantastic start but they've gone under the radar a little bit," he added.

"No one has really spoken about them but I think (Maurizio) Sarri has taken hold of the squad in a way that really suits the way he wants them to play.

"We saw the way that he liked to play at Napoli, they called it the "Sarri ball' and he's got a lot of players here that are very athletic.

"Fitness is a key part of their game and they've taken to it so well. People are only really talking about Liverpool and Manchester City but Chelsea will have a big part to play I'm sure."