GIANFRANCO ZOLA - The Sun

Apprentice v master

EDEN HAZARD

SIGNED: Jun 2012, aged 21 FEE: £32m from Lille BLUES DEBUT: Set up two goals in Chelsea's 2-0 win at Wigan last Sunday.

BEST MOMENT: In final game for Lille, against Nancy, Hazard bagged fairytale hat-trick.

HAZARD ON HIMSELF: "Being compared to Messi makes me think about what I can achieve."

WHAT OTHERS SAY: Ex team-mate Joe Cole: "Hazard is different class. He has the same attitude as Wayne Rooney at that age."

Stephane Adam, a youth coach at Lille, said: "He has a very rare talent. He's been blessed by God."

GIANFRANCO ZOLA

SIGNED: Nov 1996, aged 30.

FEE: £4.5m from Parma.

BLUES DEBUT: Played full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn at Ewood Park.

BEST MOMENT: Backheel volley into the top corner in a 2002 Stamford Bridge cup clash against Norwich.

ZOLA ON HIMSELF: "It is important to play with joy. I played the way the fans wanted me to play."

WHAT OTHERS SAY: After THAT goal against Norwich, then Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri admitted: "Gianfranco tries everything because he is a wizard and the wizard must try."

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson: "He's a clever little so and so."

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ROBERTO DI MATTEO reckons Eden Hazard is in the same mould as the legendary Gianfranco Zola — and can become Chelsea's next great artist.

The £32million midfielder, 21, makes his Stamford Bridge debut against Reading tonight with the lavish praise of his new boss ringing in his ears.

Di Matteo said: "It's difficult to compare players. Franco was a wonderful talent, an artist I would say. Eden might become an artist as well."

Hazard made a sensational Premier League start in Chelsea's 2-0 win at Wigan on Sunday.

It was it inevitable his name was on everyone's lips as the European Champions prepared to take on newly- promoted Reading.

And Di Matteo was more than happy to talk about his new star — indicative of the confidence he has in the Belgian maestro.

He added: "Maybe, after one game it's probably a bit too early to compare him with Franco.

"You compare him because of the size? We talk about the technical ability and dribbling that he has."

Hazard's undoubted talent and his ability on the ball mean he is certain to be a target for defenders ready to dish out some rough treatment in a bid to stop him.

But Di Matteo is not fussed. He admitted: "It's good that he gets used to it very quickly because that's how it's going to be.

"He's a strong boy and strongly built and that will help him.

"We spoke during pre-season about the Premier League. He's a young man but already has a lot of experience in terms of playing games. He knows how to handle himself.

"He's more focused on what he wants to do for the team and how he can bring the best out of himself."

Di Matteo warned tonight's opponents Reading that if they try to double–up on Hazard then another Chelsea player will have more space and take full advantage.

He said: "If they double mark him that will free up some space in other positions.

"If that is what is going to happen we'll have to adapt to it and with the rotation we can have it might be a bit more difficult for the opposition."

He added: "Against Wigan, it was a good debut. It was great to see him enjoying himself as well, and getting his teeth into the Premier League.

"You're never quite sure how the new players will adapt, and I'm sure it will take him a bit of time to get used to the physicality and the tempo."

But Di Matteo insists that fans should not get too carried away and think that Hazard can already be mentioned alongside legends such as Zola.

He said: "It's a matter of waiting a few years before you can say that.

"It's too early after one game. He's a talented young boy.

"We'll have to see how he grows into a man, and how quickly he will become an important player for Chelsea. He had a good start, but it's one game out of 38 in the league.

"It certainly gives him and the others confidence. It was a pleasant day for him."

Is Hazard the signing of the season then?

The Chelsea boss said: "Judgment should probably be left until the end of the season."

Di Matteo's has yet to decide whether to give £25m play-maker Oscar, his other big money signing, his full debut against Reading.

But he accepted that the long-term plan is to line up both Hazard and Oscar in a team that plays the kind of fantasy stuff owner Roman Abramovich has been waiting to see throughout his nine years at the club.

The Italian said: "Good players can play together. But you have to give them time to get to know each other as well.

"With the new signings we have brought in we're certainly going to change a bit. We're showing some very good combination play and good football at times. It's a question of doing it consistently.

"I have said you shouldn't expect a radical change or revolution.

"It's important to have a good balance. We have Juan Mata, who is not bad himself, Oscar is a very good player too, and Frank Lampard — we have good players."

Di Matteo, however, refused to be drawn on whether Chelsea are still a 'Jose Mourinho side' – a question that has haunted them since the Special One left the club.

He added: "That's for you to talk and write about.

"There are fewer players now from his time here.

"The team is going to change, for sure. New players are coming in and others finishing their contracts and moving on."