Hazard takes veiled swipe at Mourinho's coaching style

Chelsea striker Eden Hazard has taken a veiled swipe at Jose Mourinho, saying that his side are in a much better position at the moment after enduring an 'ugly' season under the former Portuguese manager last year.

Chelsea made a disappointing 10th-place finish in last season's Premier League, thus prompting the club to sack Mourinho from his job.

The Stamford Bridge club lost nine of their opening 16 league games last season that saw the Portuguese tactician's relationship with key players, including Hazard come under spotlight.

Lavishing praising on new manager Antonio Conte's coaching style, Hazard said that the Italian manager puts trust in his players and knows exactly how to treat them.

"Conte puts trust in his players and now we are good after an ugly season last year. I've always been the same player but Conte knows how to treat players having played at the highest level himself," the Belgium international was quoted as saying by goal.com.

Hazard, whose form dipped in 2015-16, kicked off the 2016 season under Conte in sensational style with two goals in three league games he has played so far.

Hazard will now aim to keep his momentum intact when Chelsea take on Swansea City in their next league clash on September 11.