Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard has admitted he is still recovering from the exertions of the World Cup, despite his superb start to the Premier League season.

The midfielder helped Belgium to the semi-finals in the summer and returned to the Blues very late in pre-season.

However, Hazard has scored eight goals in 14 games, making his best start to a Premier League campaign, and he explains that he is actually feeling fresher now than this time last year:

“Believe me, I am tired! But I think I’m in good condition to play. Last year I got an injury with my ankle for three months. So that’s why I’m fresh now. And when you are happy on the pitch you can try some things. I’m just enjoying myself.”

The 27-year-old actually had ankle surgery in the summer of 2017, before making his comeback to the first team in September. Although he has had a back injury in recent weeks, he did make his return against BATE last week in the Europa League.

He may not be back to full fitness as of yet, however, and going by Chelsea’s 0-0 draw against Everton yesterday, they will definitely want him back fit and firing sooner rather than later.