Eden Hazard believes Chelsea are ‘ready’ to win the Champions League (Picture: Getty)

Eden Hazard has issued a rallying cry to his Chelsea team-mates ahead of their Champions League opener with Qarabag on Tuesday evening.

The Blues have been away from Europe’s premier competition following a disastrous defence of their 2014/15 Premier League title but last season’s triumph in the English top flight has seen them return to the big time.

Hazard has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid for the past two seasons but the 26-year-old is desperate to win the Champions League in Chelsea colours this term.

‘This year is really important. I have reached the semi-final with Chelsea [in 2014], when we lost to Atletico Madrid, so it’s in my head to win this trophy,’ the Belgian said.

‘I have won the Premier League, I have won the title in France, I have won cups, but big players always want to win the Champions League.’

Eden Hazard is confident Antonio Conte is the man to lead them to success in the Champions League (Picture: Getty)

Hazard is confident Chelsea have the right manager and players to come home from Kiev with the trophy next May.

He added: ‘I think now it is time to win this. We have a good squad, we have a good manager, so we are ready for it.

‘You want to play these kind of games because every time you play in the Champions League it’s a big game and everybody is watching you.

‘I hate having to watch it on TV, I just want to be on the pitch.

‘That isn’t a good feeling so yes, we are happy to be back.’

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