LONDON -- Eden Hazard will be sidelined for about three months after undergoing surgery on a broken ankle on Monday, the Premier League champions announced.
Hazard, 26, suffered the injury during a training session while on international duty with Belgium on Sunday.
He returned to Cobham to be assessed by Chelsea's medical staff, who concluded that an operation was required.
Hazard is now almost certain to miss the whole of Chelsea's preseason programme, which includes fixtures in China and Singapore, and faces a fight to be fit for the start of the new Premier League season in August.
Everything went well with my ankle operation, now I start the road to recovery! I will be stronger. Thank you for your support!! pic.twitter.com/aokirnytkW
- Eden hazard (@hazardeden10) June 5, 2017
He scored 16 goals in 36 Premier League appearances as Chelsea became champions for the second time in three seasons, and was voted the club's Player of the Year.
The injury is also likely to put an end to persistent speculation linking Hazard with a move to Real Madrid this summer.
On Sunday, he said he would "consider" joining the European champions but was focused on the future at Chelsea.