By Dan Levene

Eden Hazard says Chelsea's victorious Europa League campaign of last season was nothing more than a failure.

The winger admits that entering the Europa League, via the back door of non-qualification for the knock-out stages of the more senior competition, ran contrary to everything he wanted in football.

“Yes, I believe last season was a failure,” said Hazard. “It was a failure to get knocked out at the group stage.

“It's only the third year that I play the Champions League. I had lost two years running during the group stages. I hope that for the first time I will go through it.

“We'll use last year's experience and not reproduce (the mistakes).”

The Belgian, who signed for Blues shortly after they lifted the Champions League trophy in Munich, said at the time that their status as European Champions was a key factor in him choosing them above other top clubs desperate to sign him.