BOSS READ HAZARD WARNING

EDEN HAZARD finished last season at a crossroads and uncertain about his long-term future at Chelsea.

He played much of the season in pain because of a hip injury, was blamed because of his poor form for Jose Mourinho’s departure and Paris Saint-Germain were among the options to escape Stamford Bridge.

But Hazard’s comeback has been remarkable under Antonio Conte and it owes much to a secret conversation between the pair three months before the Italian took over as manager.

The former Italy boss made several trips to London after being confirmed as Chelsea’s boss-inwaiting ahead of the Euros last summer and met with a string of key players. One of his first was Hazard (below), Chelsea’s star player, the No.10 who had gone off the rails, upset and unsettled from the previous season when he was Player of the Year in Mourinho’s title-winning team. It went from that to being labelled a “rat” by disgruntled fans who blamed several players for Mourinho’s downfall. Conte knew that, to be successful, he had to get Hazard back onside, playing well and he had to listen to the rather introverted Belgian, a family man who has the talent to be the best in the world when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are ready to step aside.

They met, spoke warmly, Hazard immediately liked Conte, whose tactical switch to a back three was also key for the Belgian, no longer stuck coming in from the left and occasionally playing as a No.10.

Real Madrid intend to come calling this summer with a renewed determination and they are ready to break the world record transfer fee to get their man.

But with Conte and a new happiness, do not expect Hazard to agitate for a move for at least another season.