Welcome to #Euro2016Rank, a weeklong look at the top 25 players we expect to see at the European Championship. Over 50 ESPN FC experts and writers from across the globe voted, and we're rolling out the results right up to opening day, when France plays Romania on June 10.
Why is Eden Hazard in the top 25?
If this was 2015, Hazard would be much higher up this list, as one of Europe's most prodigious talents and the shining light of Chelsea. The problem is that 2015-16 was a wreck of a season for him, in which he suffered a significant goal-scoring drought (four) in the Premier League. Late in the season, though, he reminded everyone of his talents; powerful runs from the flank were once again tearing through packed defences. Meanwhile, Belgium did not see the best of him during the 2014 World Cup. Has he saved himself for France, the country where he made his name as a Lille player?
What the experts say about Hazard:
"He is as important as [Cristiano] Ronaldo is for Real Madrid. He is as important as [Lionel] Messi is for Barcelona." -- former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit, November 2014.
"He is up there for me with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Plus he can only get better and better." -- Chelsea captain John Terry, April 2015.
Career highlight:
His 2014-15 season, when he was both PFA Players' Player of the Year and Football Writers' Player of the Year. He played all 38 games for title-winning Chelsea, scoring 14 goals.
Stat of the season:
When Hazard scored Chelsea's second goal, his first of two, against Bournemouth in a 4-1 win on April 23, it marked his first Premier League goal since May 3, 2015.
What next for Hazard after Euro 2016?
Hazard has long been linked with a move back to France, with PSG said to be interested in a player Chelsea beat them to in 2012.
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