Keeping and Reinvigorating Eden Hazard Could Be Chelsea's Best Move This Summer

Players who come back from long injury layoffs are often described as being like new signings at any club. The idea is they've been missing for that long that getting them back reinvigorates a squad in the same way as when millions have been spent on new faces.

We've seen plenty of Eden Hazard at Chelsea this season, but it hasn't been the Hazard we know. He's been missing, and Chelsea have suffered as a result. The Blues have lacked the same creative edge in the opposition half, being far from the threat they were last season, when they cruised to the Premier League title.

It's meant Hazard's Stamford Bridge future has been questioned. After all, he's a valuable asset Chelsea could cash in on to strengthen their squad in areas where it's needed. If this is what the club is getting, why not sell him? Equally, does he want to remain in west London?

Maybe, just maybe, though, the Belgian could have that impact of a returning injured player. We saw what he did after half-time against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, when he came off the bench to claw Chelsea back into the game from 2-0 down.

Broaden the perspective and compare those 45 minutes to an entire campaign, and we could be looking at him winning Chelsea much more than bragging rights over their London rivals next year.

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Hazard was excellent on Monday. His display was a throwback to the sort of performances that won him multiple individual awards in 2015. Interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink agreed.

"Eden has had a difficult season," he told Bleacher Report after the 2-2 draw with Spurs. "We cannot neglect that fact. A lot of injuries, coming back not at full fitness and he's had set backs. So all in all, he's had a difficult time, and it's been frustrating [for him]. It's good to see him come back.

"He played 90 minutes against Bournemouth. It was a less intense game, so my plan was to play him for one hour, but if he can make the full 90 minutes and be a big part of that, then he can be of use in this game.

"Spurs was more intense, and that's why it was more wise to bring him on later in the game and have him on full speed in the second half. He did very well. You saw there what you saw last year when he showed what he is capable of."

Hiddink's reference to Hazard "on full speed" was significant. He hasn't been anywhere near that this term, owing to a hip injury that has plagued him throughout the campaign. The Dutchman showed his wisdom by managing Hazard's game time around that fact, easing him into proceedings against Spurs.

That's the task Antonio Conte faces next year. If he can manage Hazard's reintroduction to this Chelsea side and ensure he remains fit, it could be the best bit of business Chelsea do all summer.

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We're expecting some major ins and outs at Stamford Bridge before next season. The squad needs to be refreshed, and there will be some casualties along the way. Keeping a healthy Hazard to build around is what Conte should be aiming for.

This season aside, he's been the catalyst for a lot of what the club has achieved since his arrived from Lille OSC in 2012. Had he not struggled with his injury problems, there's every reason to believe things would have been far more positive this year.

Hiddink continued: "Would Hazard have changed our season? Of course. But we had difficult problems in other areas. Kurt Zouma was out; John Terry was out; Gary Cahill was out. We don't complain about that, but it has a lot of influence.

"It's a good statement to make [that the goal against Spurs will mean the fans forgive him for a poor season]."

We saw a glimpse of how Hazard could reinvigorate Chelsea. If the club can do the same to him, there's every reason for Conte and Chelsea fans to be feeling much more positive about their fortunes in 2016/17.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.