Eden Hazard using Cristiano Ronaldo tactic to get Real Madrid move – Wes Brown EXCLUSIVE

That is according to Ronaldo’s former team-mate Wes Brown.

Hazard flirted with a transfer from Chelsea to Los Blancos this summer, expressing openness to move to pastures new following the World Cup.

The Blues managed to keep hold of their talisman, however, and the Belgian has started the season brilliantly.

Hazard tops the Premier League goalscoring ranks with seven strikes, along with three assists which have helped Chelsea spar with Liverpool and Manchester City atop the table.

The 27-year-old has recently expressed his desire to play for Real Madrid one day, however, amid talks to sign a new Chelsea contract.

“I don’t want to say: ‘Yes, I am signing a new contract,’ and then in the end I don’t end up signing,” Hazard said last week.

“So I will see. Sometimes in my head, I wake up in the morning and think I want to go. Sometimes I think I want to stay.”

Ronaldo had a similar situation during his time at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese always dreamed of playing in Real Madrid threads, but was persuaded to stay for the 2008/09 season, after which he left for Spain.

His team-mate at the time, Brown, believes many parallels can be drawn between the two stars’ situations.

“You know what, it’s the same situation as Cristiano Ronaldo when he was at United,” Brown told Express Sport.

“Between the lads in the dressing room, [we’d ask him]: ‘Who’s your favourite club?’ And he’d say: ‘I’ve always wanted to play for Real Madrid’.

“[Hazard has] not lied. It’s not like he’s playing rubbish for your club.

“He’s doing the best that he can and it’s just a boyhood dream he’s always had – it was the same with Ronaldo.

“You ask any United player or fan if he disrespected the club, they’d say: ‘Completely not.’ It’s just one of his dreams.”

As for Chelsea’s start to the season under new manager Maurizio Sarri, Brown, who won five Premier League titles at United, has been very impressed.

“Chelsea have started brilliantly – Hazard has come off the back of the World Cup and continued [his great form],” the retired defender continued.

“It would be a shame for him if he did leave, whether it is January or the summer, because it’s a player who would be missed by the Premier League.

“But what an unbelievable player. He’s been the main focus of the team and his ability is fantastic to watch.”

Wes Brown took on Dennis Wise as part of 888sport’s A Tenner Says campaign. Take ‘Em On at www.888sport.com.