Gianfranco Zola believes Jose Mourinho has improved Eden Hazard immensely as a footballer.

The Chelsea ace landed the 2015 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award on Thursday night to go along with his PFA Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year awards.

Speaking at the dinner at the London Landmark Hotel, ex-Blues star Zola spoke highly of the Belgian and how he has enhanced all aspects of his game under the tutelage of Portuguese maestro Mourinho.

"There is no doubt that Hazard is an exceptional player and he is one of those players who has got huge potential. In Italy we would say he is one of the players who you say is worth the price of the ticket," said Zola at the FWA dinner.

"Everyone knows Hazard can do exceptional things going forward, but his work rate defensively this season has been unbelievable. If you see a star player working so hard it is a massive incentive for everyone.

"Jose has played a major part on teaching him to be effective when the team has not got the ball."