Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has backed his international teammate Christian Benteke's decision to ask for a move away from Aston Villa this summer.

Benteke shocked Villa boss Paul Lambert by handing in a transfer request last week, with Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs linked with a move for the Belgium forward.

Hazard has revealed that he spoke to his friend Benteke about his future earlier this summer, admitting the striker's decision to force through a transfer has come as little surprise.

He told The Express: "Benteke is my friend, we get on very well. His dream is to play even higher.

"As for his decision, I feel it's the right one because he has the quality to impose himself wherever, to make his mark at any club.

"I wasn't surprised [that he handed in a transfer request]. We speak all the time and he told me, 'Right, I've done well. What next?' I believe he has got all the attributes to do well at a big club."

The 22-year-old scored 19 times for Villa last season, top scoring for Lambert's side in his debut Premier League campaign.