Hazard needs time to get back to his best, says Conte

Chelsea star Eden Hazard played for the final 12 minutes as Chelsea ground out a 2-1 Premier League win on Sunday (AEST) thanks to goals from striker Alvaro Morata and midfielder N'Golo Kante to go third in the table.

Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard made his Chelsea return against Leicester City Source: Getty Images

Hazard, who recovered from an ankle fracture sustained in June, impressed manager Antonio Conte, but the Italian is focused on his star player's recovery.

"This is good news for us," Conte told the club's website.

"For sure he needs time to be 100 percent but for us his recovery is very important."
Chelsea are back in UEFA Champions League action on Wednesday (AEST), where they face Azerbaijan's Qarabag at Stamford Bridge and Conte said he would be patient with Hazard.

"We all know very well the importance of this player for us," Conte said.

"Now we must have patience to give him the possibility to improve his form, but I am pleased for him because after a bad injury it's great to see him with us."

Chelsea must continue to work on integrating new signings into the squad after winning three games in a row since their opening day defeat, Conte said.

"We must be satisfied... now we are trying to involve new players with the older players and this is a process. We need time. In football there is not a lot of time but we are working hard," Conte said.

Apart from striker Morata, the club's record signing from Real Madrid, new boys Antonio Rudiger, Davide Zappacosta and Tiemoue Bakayoko also featured against the Foxes.
"I think Baka is improving his physical condition. Also, he is starting to understand and adapt to our style of football," Conte said.

"He has to improve with the ball because without the ball he is very strong. He is a young player and has good signs for us."


Share
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
2 min read
Published 10 September 2017 10:46pm
Source: Reuters

Share this with family and friends