When he’s on form, there are few players in the Premier League as good as Eden Hazard.
The former PFA Player of the Year guided Chelsea to a 5-0 thumping of Everton on Saturday, scoring twice, just the latest indication that he’s back to his best.
Something clearly went wrong under Jose Mourinho, but Antonio Conte has suggested Hazard’s revival is down to the way the Blues are playing – the playmaker’s been freed up to attack the goal, where his side previously looked unable to break teams down.
Now, the 25-year-old has himself given an insight into the one motivation that has helped him rediscover his form – he wants to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or again.
“Last season I was not good, so for me it was normal that I was not on the (Ballon d’Or) list,” he said, via the Mirror.
“But I want to come back on the list, and give everything to be on the list, not to be in the top 23 but to be in the top five. Yes, I want to reach that level.”
English football had its fair share of representatives on the shortlist, with even Jamie Vardy making it on.
As well as his personal motivation, Hazard has also praised Conte for helping him since the Italian arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer.
“Conte has not change a lot, it is just that I have a little bit more freedom when we have the ball and without the ball,” he added.
“Because I don’t need to defend against the right-back, because Marcos Alonso is there. I just focus on staying in my position. And when I have the ball I have more freedom and I can go where I want to go, and be decisive.”
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