Eden Hazard: Time is right for Chelsea to win Champions League again

Missed out: Eden Hazard joined Chelsea after the Champions League triumph in 2012

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Simon Johnson10 September 2017

Eden Hazard admits he has missed playing in the Champions League and has set his sights on winning it with Chelsea this season.

Chelsea didn't play in the competition last term because they finished a lowly 10th place in the Premier League in 2016.

It was the first time since the 2002-03 campaign that the Blues weren't involved in Europe's premier club competition.

Hazard joined the club shortly after they won the European Cup for the first time in their history in 2012, but the furthest they have got following his arrival was the semi-finals three years ago.

As Chelsea prepare to face Qarabag in their opening group game on Tuesday night, Hazard hopes they can go all the way this time.

He said: "Yeah, this year [to win it] is important. I have only got to the semi-final when we lost to Atletico Madrid. So it's in my head to win this trophy.

"I have won the Premier League and the title in France. Now all the big players want to win the Champions League.

"I think now is time to win this. We have a good squad, good manager, so now we are ready for that. I will try to give everything on the pitch, if I win, I’m happy, but if I don’t win, no regrets.

In Pictures | Leicester vs Chelsea | 09/09/2017

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"As a player you want to play in the Champions League. Last year we just watched on TV - it’s not a good feeling.

"You want to play in this kind of game because every time you play in the Champions League it’s a big game. Everyone is watching you, so, yeah, I'm happy to be back in the Champions League."

Hazard is in line to start against Qarabag having made his first appearance of the season as a late substitute in the 2-1 win at Leicester.

The 26-year-old fractured his right ankle while away with Belgium in June and has been eased back into the first team squad by coach Antonio Conte.

Hazard added: "It was a good test [against Leicester]. I'm just happy to be back. I had the chance to play with the national team (against Gibraltar and Greece) also, I did a good job there.