Ballon d'Or 2019: Football personalities who have already named their favourites for this year's award

#3 Leon Osman (Eden Hazard)

Chelsea v Slavia Praha - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final: Second Leg

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman has opined that Chelsea ace Eden Hazard should be in contention for the Ballon d'Or and has expressed his disbelief at the Belgian's snub in recent years.

Osman said, "Oh, absolutely [he’s a potential Ballon d’Or winner Hazard]. It’s probably a surprise that he hasn’t managed to win it already."

When asked if that should be a surprise considering the competition from Messi and Ronaldo, the former Everton star said, "Yeah but even so, he has been absolutely sensational at times. Okay, he’s probably had a few dips, a few lapses in form and maybe the fact he hasn’t led Chelsea to European glory or his country to the Euros or World Cup successes is probably what has held him back.

"Certainly Ronaldo’s managed to do that and that’s probably why they end up getting the rewards.

"I don’t think he’s replaceable. I think it’s as simple as that. There’s only three or four players in world football that are his standard, consistently. Yes, he may not end up with the Premier League Player of the Season this season but over a number of years he’s showed what a top player he is."