Hazard needs time to get back to his best, says Conte

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has welcomed the return of Eden Hazard from injury during their Premier League win over Leicester City on Saturday but said the Belgian playmaker needs time to get back to 100 percent. Hazard, who recovered from an ankle fracture sustained in June, played for the final 12 minutes as Chelsea ground out a 2-1 win with goals from striker Alvaro Morata and midfielder N'Golo Kante to go third in the table. "This is good news for us," Conte told the club's website (www.chelseafc.com). "For sure he needs time to be 100 percent but for us his recovery is very important."

Great to have this guy back! ? pic.twitter.com/SzdyOiTMkS

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 9, 2017

Chelsea are back in Champions League action on Tuesday, where they face Azerbaijan's Qarabag at Stamford Bridge and Conte said he would be patient with Hazard. "We all know very well the importance of this player for us," the Italian manager said. "Now we must have patience to give him the possibility to improve his form, but I am pleased for him because after a bad injury it's great to see him with us."

.@hazardeden10 on Instagram: 'Great to be back, thank you @chelseafc medical and coaching staff for getting me ready!' pic.twitter.com/te8M6nilsz

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 9, 2017

Chelsea must continue to work on integrating new signings into the squad after winning three games in a row since their opening day defeat, Conte said. "We must be satisfied... now we are trying to involve new players with the older players and this is a process. We need time. In football there is not a lot of time but we are working hard," Conte said.

Conte says Eden Hazard returning is very good news but he believes the player needs time to be 100 per cent. #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 9, 2017

Apart from striker Morata, the club's record signing from Real Madrid, new boys Antonio Rudiger, Davide Zappacosta and Tiemoue Bakayoko also featured against the Foxes. "I think Baka is improving his physical condition. Also, he is starting to understand and adapt to our style of football," Conte added. "He has to improve with the ball because without the ball he is very strong. He is a young player and has good signs for us."

Chelsea have condemned the singing of an anti-Semitic chant by their fans.https://t.co/7jFOgNdJN0 #CFC pic.twitter.com/cC6bcW6EkB

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 9, 2017