Chelsea have certainly benefited from being without Champions League football this season as they currently fly high in the Premier League, seven points clear at the top.

There's no question there is a rare advantage for the Blues this campaign, given they have played no European football whatsoever, and Antonio Conte is set to win the league in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

But when Champions League football returns to west London in 2017/18 it will not only make life more difficult for the Italian, but will represent the former Juventus and Italy boss with the chance to help his Blues team re-find their place on the European stage.

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Chelsea have won the Champions League just once in their history, under fellow Italian Roberto Di Matteo back in 2012, and owner Roman Abramovich is undoubtedly craving the chance to put their near five-year wait to win the trophy again to bed.

Nothing gets a broader smile on the Russian's face than Chelsea winning trophies and he will be ready to fund whatever it takes to bring a second European crown to Stamford Bridge.

However, it will not all be down to bringing in new faces over the summer in order to make that happen. After all, this is a squad that is almost certain to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

And Thibaut Courtois believes Chelsea absolutely must keep ahold of one player who will be vital to the club's chances of winning Europe's elite prize again, anytime soon.

Hazard vital to European chances

"Eden [Hazard] is one of the best players in the world," Courtois told the London Evening Standard, per Goal.

"Chelsea have ambitions to win the Champions League again and always look to play for the title.

"If you want to do that, you need the biggest players and he is obviously a big part of that."

The Belgium star scored two first-half goals against Manchester City on Wednesday night to move himself onto 13 Premier League goals for the season, while also having produced five assists. And no matter the competition, Hazard is Chelsea's go-to man.

Under Conte, Hazard has refound his best form that completely eluded him last campaign in the Blues' disastrous title defence, but the 26-year-old is on course for a second league title in three seasons at the Bridge.

Courtois praises Hazard impact v City

"Eden is a great player and showed it again against Manchester City. It was a great first goal." Courtois added.

"His penalty was from the rebound, which reminded me a bit of what happened against Crystal Palace when we clinched the league two years ago. Hopefully it will go the same way.

"He is fantastic, but he works hard for the team too and did a lot defensively, which is what we need from him. I am very happy for him."

Courtois is confident Hazard, who has been linked with a £100 million switch to Real Madrid this summer, will stay at Chelsea - hoping he can inspire the club to Champions League glory sooner rather than later.