Cape Town – Ross Barkley is hoping to play alongside Eden Hazard at Chelsea "for many more years", despite the Belgian's strong desire to join Real Madrid.
Speaking to the press after helping the Blues to a 3-0 win over Southampton on Sunday, Hazard reiterated his dream to play for Los Blancos one day.
The 2018 World Cup semi-finalist also praised Barkley, who set up his first goal at St Mary's before getting on the scoresheet himself.
"I remember watching him at Everton. He is still young, so I think he is a good player for the future with Chelsea," Hazard said.
"If you give Ross the freedom to play and the confidence on the pitch, he can be one of the best in the world in midfield."
The Everton youth product has returned the compliment, claiming that Hazard can go on to achieve so much more at Stamford Bridge if he stays put.
"He's a magnificent player. You can see how he started the season and the World Cup that he had, you don't get many players like him," Barkley declared.
"He's capable of magic at any moment and to hear the things that he's said, it's great for me get to hear a player like that say so many great things about myself.
"It's important [he stays] because he's been at Chelsea for a long time. He's achieved so much. But I can't speak for Eden. He knows in his mind what he wants but I'd love to play with him for many more years."
