John
Terry has hailed Eden Hazard's return to form and believes the Chelsea
midfielder is back among the "the very best in the world".
Hazard endured a dismal 2015/16 campaign, failing to score in the Premier
League for 27 matches as Chelsea slumped to a 10th place finish - their
first outside the top-six since 1996.
But the 25-year-old did not have to wait long for his first goal of the
2016/17 season, netting just after half-time in Chelsea's 2-1 opening day
victory over West Ham on
Monday Night Football.
"He's up there with the very best in the world for me," Terry told Chelsea's
official website.
"We relied on him too much last season and he can't do it all on his own
even though he almost does.
"He's a world-class player and we're very lucky to have him."
Diego Costa's late winner handed new Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte his
first victory in the Premier League in front of a sold-out Stamford Bridge.
West Ham defender James Collins had briefly threatened to spoil the party,
cancelling out Hazard's earlier penalty, before Costa secured all three
points for the home side in the 89th minute.
Terry added: "It was very important to get off to a good start. The way we
started and ended last season wasn't good enough by our own standards.
"We said before the game that whether we won lost or drew that was the type
of fight and commitment we want from everyone.
"We dug in, it was a big London derby and it means a lot to players and
supporters.
"It was great for the management to get off to a good start as well."
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