Thomas Vermaelen on Chelsea's Eden Hazard being close to Lionel Messi's level, Luis Enrique to Chelsea and Kevin De Bruyne

Thomas Vermaelen in action for Barcelona

There is no-one in the world of football – now or in history – like Lionel Messi, but Thomas Vermaelen believes Chelsea’s Eden Hazard comes pretty close.

Vermaelen will likely come up against his Belgium team-mate as he returns to London with Barcelona in a mouthwatering Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday, although the 32-year-old will make way for Gerard Pique should the Spaniard overcome a knee problem in time for the first-leg.

One thing that lights up the former Arsenal man is talking about teammate Messi, who will no doubt be the biggest threat to the Blues on Tuesday as the La Liga leaders come to Stamford Bridge – the scene of a number of memorable Champions League ties between the sides.

And asked if the Blues have their own mini-Messi in the shape of Hazard, Vermaelen is well-placed to judge his international team-mate.

“There are similarities,” Vermaelen said in an interview ahead of the game with the Daily Mail.

“They are both quite small with that low sense of gravity so they can turn and twist very quickly. They have that element of surprise in their game and they can move so fast.

“And especially in the form he (Hazard) is in now, I saw the goal he scored recently against Watford, for example, he’s a world-class player.

“To compare him to Messi is so difficult but he is up there with the very best.”

Vermaelen believes compatriot Eden Hazard is close to Lionel Messi’s level.

Pushed on what it’s like being up close and personal with the diminutive Argentine, having moved to the Camp Nou from the Gunners in 2014, Vermaelen added: “What amazes me is that he does what he does every day. I came here and thought that he maybe saves the best stuff for games, but he does it day-in day-out.

“He’s unbelievable in training. If you gamble that he’s going to go one way then he’ll go the other and when he comes at you on the diagonal at the speed he moves at it’s very difficult to stop.

“You might know that he’s probably going to shoot off his left but he’s always quicker than you so knowing doesn’t help. He doesn’t get too emotionally involved with the player that’s marking or tackling him either. He never gets distracted.

“He is just getting on with the job. It is pure talent and it all comes naturally. I think for him it doesn’t even feel special.

“There are moments when you see him do something and you just laugh. Even sat on the bench during a game, you watch what he’s doing, and you just laugh.”

Vermaelen is an avid, intelligent watcher of the game, as opposed to just being someone half decent at football who makes a living from it.

He has had more time to do that than he would have wanted since he arrived in Catalonia with injuries blighting his time with the Blaugrana.

But this season they have been kinder and when he played eight full games consecutively over Christmas he reminded everyone what an impeccable defender he is.

Vermaelen could feature against Chelsea, unless Gerard Pique recovers from injury.

He was faultless in the 3-0 Clasico win over Real Madrid on December 23. His ability to anticipate and distribute so cleanly make him perfect for the way Barcelona defend, something he gives credit to the coach who signed him and who he has great affection for, Luis Enrique.

“Some people have the wrong idea about what it’s like to defend for Barcelona,” he said.

“They think it’s an easy job because the team is all about attack. But the demands they have here, and with the previous coach Luis Enrique as well, are very high.”

The mention of Enrique is interesting in light of how high up Roman Abramovich’s wanted list the Spaniard is. Vermaelen’s respect and affection for his former coach is striking.

“I wasn’t always playing but the relationship with him was very good,” he said.

“The way he talks to players is excellent. He knows how to make a player feel right. If you asked me about the best managers I have worked with I would always include him.”

Vermaelen is a big fan of former coach Luis Enrique.

Abramovich has long craved a Barca-style Chelsea. And Vermaelen believes, were he to replace under fire Antonio Conte at the Bridge in the summer, he could affect as radical a change as Pep Guardiola, another former Barca boss, has at Manchester City.

“I think so,” he adds. “I think it would be similar to what you are seeing with Guardiola at City. It might take some time but I think it can work very well.”

Sticking with City but going back to Belgium, and Vermaelen could benefit directly from Guardiola’s influence if a supremely confident Kevin De Bruyne inspires the De Rode Duivels against England at the World Cup.

“He is a clever player and his game suits the way Guardiola plays,” Vermaelen says about another very talented international colleague.

“He’s technically very good with an unbelievable passing range and a great shot. And don’t underestimate his physical qualities either, he can cope with the English game. He is looking like player of the season.”

De Bruyne could have been facing Barca this week for Chelsea had patience not run out with him in London.

“When I first saw him in the national team I was already impressed with his qualities,” Vermaelen went on. “He has developed because he is playing every week for a massive club.”