Didier Drogba knows all about what it takes to be considered a legend at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivorian first joined Chelsea in 2004 and won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League before leaving for Shanghai Shenhua eight years later.

Following two seasons at Galatasaray, Drogba returned to west London to pick up where he left off.

Working under Jose Mourinho again for the 2014-15 season, he added another league title and a third League Cup to his glistening trophy cabinet.

Drogba was a force to be reckoned with during his time at the Blues and they haven’t seen anyone quite like him since.

In terms of single-handedly winning matches, Eden Hazard is arguably the closest they’ve got.

Drogba played with the Belgian during his second spell at the club and has been impressed by his evolving maturity.

"He has become more clinical," he told Goal.

"It comes with age as well. He is very efficient and I am really happy to see that. He is leading the team, carrying the team on his shoulders and he is doing that well.

"He is someone who has got very high expectations of himself and his team-mates because he wants to win.

"Sometimes this pushes you to do a little bit more to do well because you want your team-mates to get to your level. This happens sometimes, but the more he plays in these big games, he reads the game better."

Asked for his take on how much longer Hazard will be a Chelsea player, Drogba insists he has earned the enduring respect of his fans regardless of what happens.

"He is a legend [regardless of what happens], look at what he achieved in six years at the club. He won the league twice, won the FA Cup, won Player of the Year. We are talking about Eden Hazard. Please!"

Perhaps underlining Real Madrid’s incessant interest in the 2018 World Cup semi-finalist, Drogba has fond memories of what his playing style offered Chelsea.

"He brought something that we hadn’t seen for such a long time. The closest I can bring to him if I compare, if I may, is [Gianfranco] Zola. The talent to dribble, to make the difference and dribble one-versus-one. That’s him."