Manchester United legend Gary Neville has challenged Chelsea winger Eden Hazard to elevate himself into a "tier two" position on the world stage alongside the likes of Neymar and Gareth Bale.

The former England right-back thinks that Hazard is favourite to win the Premier League's Player of the Year award, but said that the Belgium international now needs to improve further.

He told The Telegraph: "Eden Hazard is the clear favourite to be named PFA Player of the Year on Sunday evening and, if he is, the Chelsea winger should enjoy his night and celebrate his achievement, but for his own status and that of the Premier League, he now needs to push himself to a higher level.

"For me, Hazard is in what I regard as Tier two, alongside the top wide players at Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid, so I am comparing him to Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, Neymar, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez.

"Right now, the stats show Hazard to be at the bottom of the group, but it is not just the numbers that give the others the edge on the Belgian. Hazard needs to bully defenders more, become a killer, somebody who gives full-backs nightmares before they play against him. And at 24, now is the time for him to make those improvements."

Jose Mourinho's Premier League leaders travel to Arsenal on Sunday.