Eden Hazard: 'I played through injury last season'

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has claimed that he played with an injury for the majority of last season.

Hazard was criticised for his drop in form during a time when the Blues were struggling for results, but the Belgian - who has been one of the club's star performers under Antonio Conte - has revealed that he was never 100% fit.

The 25-year-old told The Guardian: "I'm playing without pain. Last year was complicated.

"Some people didn't believe it, but I played with an injury for a long time. I was never 100%, and when you're not completely fit it's hard to play at your best.

"I had a good break after the Euros, a good pre-season, and was ready."

Hazard has netted seven goals in 14 appearances in all competitions this season.