Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy says Eden Hazard must be Chelsea first-choice - no matter his form.

Murphy wrote for the London Evening Standard: "How does a manager make a star player perform, especially if he has struggled the previous season? Eden Hazard is back to his best at Chelsea under Antonio Conte — but it should not be difficult to get your top players playing well.

"I don't know Hazard personally but I get the impression he is the type of player who needs an arm around his shoulder.

"When Jose Mourinho left him out at times last season, his confidence seemed to drop and he got angry and frustrated.

"Conte has probably simply said: 'You are my main man. Go and shut the critics up'.

"In general, though, most top players don't need too much from a manager to get back on track. Just keep them on the pitch."