Hazard closing on Super Eagles star Mikel's Chelsea record

Eden Hazard is closing in John Obi Mikel's appearance record at Chelsea but he will overtake the club assistant coach Gianfranco Zola.

The 31-year-old Super Eagles captain who is currently injured which has ruled out of Tianjin TEDA remainder Chinese Super League season but Nigeria international is the fourth on the list of foreign players with the most appearances for the dethroned Premier League Champions.

Hazard and Zola are tied for fifth place with 312 games but the Belgian forward will move one step ahead of the Italian coach if Chelsea number ten features in Thursday night Europa League clash with BATE Borisov at Haradski Stadium in Minsk.

Petr Cech, who now plies his trade with London rivals Arsenal, holds the record for the most appearances of any foreign player with the Blues with 494, followed by club legend Didier Drogba at 381, Branislav Ivanovic 377 and John Mikel Obi 372.

Chelsea lead Group L with nine points from three matches and six points above the rest three teams of PAOK, Vidi FC and BATE Borisov.