Conte says Hazard is priceless to Chelsea

Antonio Conte says Eden Hazard is playing at a “very high level” and is priceless to Chelsea.

The Belgian was at his bewitching best against Arsenal last Saturday, scoring a dazzling individual goal in the 3-1 win.

But when asked where Hazard ranked alongside the likes of world-record buy Paul Pogba, Blues boss Conte said: “I’m not going to put a price on a player.

“Eden, for sure, is a great player, a top player. He’s in a very high level but I don’t see a problem because we don’t want to sell him. He hasn’t a price now.”

Hazard was taken off six minutes from time against the Gunners, with Chelsea 3-0 up, and Conte explained it was so the crowd could give him a standing ovation.

“When I make a substitution there is always a reason”, he said.

“Sometimes I try to preserve some players, sometimes there is a tactical choice.

“In the last game, I wanted to give him the great applause of our fans because I think he deserved this for the game that he played – not only with the ball, but above all without the ball.”