Eden Hazard's national team coach Roberto Martinez believes that Antonio Conte's arrival at Chelsea has helped the Belgian star find a new lease of life at the club, comparing the Belgian to Lionel Messi.
Hazard impressed during Chelsea's title-winning season of 2014/15, being named as the PFA Player of the Year for his scintillating performances for Jose Mourinho's side.
But last season was different as Hazard struggled to recreate such match-winning showings and indeed vital goals, with the winger only scoring his first goal of the campaign in April.
Under new manager Antonio Conte this term, however, Hazard has re-discovered his best form - as have many other of the Chelsea players - and the winger has been heavily praised in recent days for his stunning solo goal in the 3-1 win over Arsenal at the weekend.
Martinez, who coaches Hazard within the Belgium national team set-up, believes the 26-year-old is experiencing the best moment of his career which has been helped by Conte's 3-4-3 formation relieving the winger of his previous defensive duties.
"What he does is quite unique," the former Everton manager told Chelsea's official website. "It’s that acceleration and stopping and standing still. He reminds me a lot of [Lionel] Messi. Not many players can control the moment and take the defenders where you want to take them.
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"The way he uses the ball with his feet is sensational and what is surprising more than anything is his maturity.
"I think that Eden, at 26, is almost in the perfect moment of his career and the system that Chelsea plays, which is the same as we play in the national team, has really given him a new breath of life."
