Eden Hazard is off the leash and ready to start his first Premier League game of the season — four days after dazzling in Madrid — with a new challenge set by Antonio Conte.
The Chelsea manager wants Hazard to add the ruthless mentality of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to his unquestionable natural ability and the consistency of last season.
'Sometimes, Eden, if he scores one goal, he is happy and then, if there's another situation, he prefers to make an assist rather than scoring twice,' said Conte. 'For Ronaldo, if he scores once he wants two or three or four. The same for Messi.'
Conte added: 'If God gives you this talent, you must exploit this talent.'
When Jose Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge, he made similar demands of Hazard which sometimes seemed to burden the Belgium forward. But Conte added: 'For every coach, our task is to try to improve our players — to put them in the best condition to exploit their talent.Then, to work on their weaknesses and improve them.
'This season is very important for Eden. You know very well he is a top player and this season he has a big opportunity to get better because the Champions League is important for players to show they can compete to be the best.'
Hazard was outstanding as Chelsea won 2-1 at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, creating the equaliser for Alvaro Morata.
Hazard scored 16 League goals last season — including three in two games against Saturday's opponent Manchester City— before suffering his injury on international duty at the end of the campaign.