How has Antonio Conte rejuvenated Chelsea’s Eden Hazard?

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Chelsea are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table and they have the opportunity to secure their position further at Burnley this weekend. Tottenham face a difficult trip to Anfield on Saturday and there is a chance that Chelsea’s lead will increase even further. It is becoming impossible to think that they won’t regain their crown in May and that will mark a fantastic first season in England for Antonio Conte. The Italian has led an incredible transformation since taking over and would be the outstanding candidate for manager of the year.

If Chelsea do go on and clinch the Premier League title as expected, the Italian will have a lot to thank Eden Hazard for. The Belgian was disappointing last season, but he has returned to his best since Conte took over and is now performing at the level that we have come to expect from him. There was hope that he would go on to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for individual honours after a superb 2014/15 season, but he failed to reach those levels. He is now back on the right track and is arguably the best player in the Premier League once again.

There have been a lot of key performers for Chelsea since the change to 3-4-3, but Hazard is, without doubt, their most exciting and dynamic player. The Blues have taken three points in all nine Premier League matches that the Belgian international has scored in. This underlines his importance to the side and how he can have a decisive impact on matches. Hazard is a match-winner and he becomes even more important in tight matches. He would improve any other side in the Premier League and it is no surprise that Chelsea are nine points clear considering his performances this season.

This season has been a good one for Hazard, as he has contributed ten goals and three assists, a significant improvement on last year. There is a feeling that the Belgian could become even better in the final third and he will want to show that over the coming months. He is playing without pressure and in a system that allows his flair to shine through. That was evident against Arsenal as he scored an excellent individual goal, running the length of the opposition half and finishing smartly past Petr Cech. The most impressive part of the move was his upper body strength as he easily outmuscled Francis Coquelin.

It is worrying that Hazard appeared to down tools last season under Jose Mourinho, displaying a mentality that won’t take him to the very top of the sport, but that is in the past for the majority of Chelsea fans. All they care about is what is happening now and Hazard is leading them to yet another Premier League title. It was important that Chelsea appointed the correct manager to re-motivate the likes of Diego Costa and Hazard. They did that and they are now set for another dominant period in English football, with the Belgian being central to their long-term plans.

This weekend sees Chelsea travel to try and put an end to Burnley’s impressive winning run at Turf Moor. It won’t be an easy match for the league leaders and their competitors will be hoping that this is the beginning of their fall. However, in Eden Hazard, they have a world class performer and one that can decide matches with one moment of brilliance. He could be the difference once again this weekend.

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