Eden Hazard has revealed the major factor behind his much improved form for Chelsea this season is because he is “pain free”.
The Belgian international has been one of the standout players in Europe so far in this campaign as he’s managed to recapture the type of form which saw him named as the PFA and Football Writers Association player of the year for the 2014/15 season.
Hazard has already exceeded his goal return after 11 games this year than what he managed in the whole of what he calls a “complicated” 2015/16 season under former boss Jose Mourinho and puts his improvement down to shrugging off a persistent hip problem.
“I’m playing without pain,” he told the Guardian.
“Last year was complicated. Some people didn’t believe it, but I played with an injury [he points at his hip] for a long time. I was never 100%, and when you’re not completely fit it’s hard to play at your best.
“But I had a good break after the Euros, a good pre-season, and was ready.
“Liberated, yes. It feels like that sometimes, being injury-free and if a system brings the best out of you.”
Chelsea’s season took a turn for the better following the 3-0 defeat at the hands of London rivals Arsenal at the end of September as it forced manager Antonio Conte to revert to his favoured 3-4-3 system and Hazard is one of many that has reaped the rewards of the change.
The 25-year-old now has a more free-role in the Blues set-up and has repaid his manager with five goals in his last five league games. Hazard and company are back in action on Sunday afternoon as they travel to the Riverside Stadium for a clash with Premier League newboys Middlesbrough.
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