Top 10 Premier League stars of 2018: Chelsea's Eden Hazard

Hazard’s individual quality continues to shine through for Chelsea

Chelsea's Eden Hazard ranks second in our countdown of players of the year

Chelsea's Eden Hazard is second in our countdown of the standout Premier League players of 2018.

The Blues not only failed to retain their title but fell out of the top four last season, but Hazard remained their outstanding performer.

He helped Antonio Conte sign off with an FA Cup win in May, had a fine World Cup and has started brilliantly under new coach Maurizio Sarri.

What do the stats say?

Hazard is still the best dribbler in the Premier League and it's not close. He has completed 130 dribbles in 2018. No other player is in three figures.

Eden Hazard's 2018 PL stats

• Appearances: 33
 
• Goals: 15
• Assists: 11
 
• Dribbles completed: 130

The Belgian has been effective too, creating more chances than any other player in the Premier League in 2018.

There have been goals and there have been assists. Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane are the only other players in double figures for both in the calendar year.

What were his highlights?

Hazard's first-half penalty was the only goal of Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Manchester United at Wembley in May. It was the first time that he had lifted the trophy.

That sent Hazard to the World Cup with confidence and that was evident in his performance out in Russia in the summer where he picked up the silver ball as Belgium finished third.