Eden Hazard inspired the Blues to a thumping 3-0 victory over Burnley to make it three wins out of three.
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‘With my staff we will continue to work in this period of rest, to watch the game, to watch the good things – many – and watch the bad things – a few – and try to continue to improve. But I m pleased with his commitment and work-rate – and the same goes for all the players.
If Chelsea are to win the title this season, they will need the winger at his best. “But it was against a very strong group, you only have to look at who they brought on to see the huge gulf between where we are as a club and this one”.
“When you have these players with great talent, it’s good for me to put them in the best condition to excite with this talent”.
In contrast, after making over 30 Premier League appearances in each of the last two seasons, he’ll be under pressure and scrutiny to win back his place in the Chelsea line-up in the weeks ahead or his future at Stamford Bridge will continue to be a topic for debate.
“For me it’s important to start in a good way”, Conte said.
This was not the Hazard of last season, who seemed to carry an air of indifference and whose total of four league goals and three assists for the entire campaign could have been eclipsed this weekend after just three matches.
“It’s an important time for him”, added Conte.
However, he rued the impending worldwide break with his team starting the season in positive form.
“He is a young man with a fantastic future, as long as he keeps working hard and keeps himself grounded, which I think he will”.
After opening the scoring with just nine minutes played by surging down the left on the counter-attack and curling home from 20 yards, the mercurial Hazard was the central attacking figure in a tactically astute display from Chelsea. But we have to stop.
“Starting the season with three league wins and one in the cup is good for the confidence of the players, the fans, for the club, for me”.
And afterwards Hazard praised the impact of Conte, who enjoyed a successful playing career with Juventus and Italy – unlike Mourinho who never made the grade as a player.
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“We’re looking and we’re certainly active”, he said.
