Monday, 12th November, 2012
Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has revealed that Eden Hazard relishes the pressure and status that comes with being considered one of the best players in the world.
Benteke is close friends with Hazard, turning out alongside the Chelsea forward with the Belgium national team.
The striker has defended his friend as talk has increased in Belgium over why Hazard has not reproduced his performances at club level for the international team.
For Benteke, Belgium should not obsess on Hazard, but instead give him a little breathing space.
"We expect too much of him and we should not just focus on him", the hitman told Belgian TV channel RTBF.
"He can make a difference and we can count on him, but we should not expect him to do what he did at Lille."
Benteke also explained how he came to develop a close friendship with Hazard, who he will now face in the heat of Premier League battle.
relatedNewsStory"In the youth teams, he was no. 10 and I was no.9.
"Directly there were things we had in common.
"He is a little crazy in the head and so am I. We’re friends."
And Benteke, who also revealed Hazard’s dream is to play for Real Madrid, explained the former Lille star can cope with the pressure which follows him.
"He already knows that his life will be like this [lots of expectation, ed.].
"He cost millions and he will always be under pressure. He will always have to do more than the others.
"He was condemned to always be on top and he is aware of this and he loves it.
"The pressure is diminished by his madness."
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