Antonio Conte has sent out a stern message to Chelsea’s title rivals this season as his Blues close in on the Premier League title.

Since suffering defeat to Arsenal in September, Chelsea haven’t looked back. They’ve lost just once in the league since and currently have a 10-point advantage over second-placed Tottenham.

Spurs will come again next season, and both Manchester clubs will spend more money in the summer, but Chelsea will be the team to beat.

Part of their success has boiled down to the form of N’Golo Kante, who joined last summer from Leicester City. The Frenchman has been incredible in the centre of midfield, with Steven Gerrard admitting he wouldn’t like to have played against Kante during his career.

“He’s a nightmare to play against,” Gerrard told BT Sport after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool in January, via the Metro.

“I used to hate playing against Claude Makelele and I wouldn’t like to play against him.”

Kante hasn't been Chelsea's only star

Kante may very well go on to win the PFA Player of the Year award - he certainly deserves it - but one man who has also enjoyed a terrific season is Eden Hazard.

The Belgian has bounced back from his horror show last season to ignite Chelsea’s title charge, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists.

Such is his form that those rumours linking him to Real Madrid, which were rife two years ago, have reemerged.

What Hazard has told friends

Chelsea are obviously keen on keeping the 26-year-old at Stamford Bridge and, according to the Telegraph, are planning an improvement on his £200,000-a-week contract, which already sees him earn more than any of his teammates.

There’s reason to believe Hazard will put pen to paper on a new deal. The newspaper adds that Hazard has told friends that he will be at Chelsea next season.

If Conte can add more players of Hazard’s talent in the transfer window then Chelsea’s return to the Champions League could be fruitful.

Is Eden Hazard the best player in the Premier League? Let us know in the comments section below!