After another productive month in February, Chelsea edge closer to a claiming a second Premier League title in three seasons.

Antonio Conte's side sit 10 points clear at the top of the table heading into March. Although Manchester City have a game in hand, giving them the opportunity to close that gap, the Blues now need just 29 points from their remaining 12 matches to guarantee they are crowned champions.

After beating Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup in February, it also means Chelsea are on course for a potential league-and-cup double for the first time since 2009/10. Standing in their way and a place in the semi-finals is Manchester United, who they face at Stamford Bridge on Monday March 13.

When Chelsea last secured the double it was under Carlo Ancelotti. Incidentally, the Italian was also in his first season as boss in west London, like Conte is now.

So, after a successful four weeks of football, who performed best in a Chelsea shirt? Join Bleacher Report as we count down the Blues' top five players in February.
5. Eden Hazard


Alastair Grant/Associated Press
The Belgian wizard has seen his form fluctuate since Christmas. One week he looks imperious, the other off the pace and lacking inspiration.

Indeed, February summed that up for Hazard. He started the month in style with a mesmerising goal against Arsenal as Chelsea crushed their London rivals 3-1 to all but end their outside hopes of a title challenge.

Picking the ball up on the halfway line, Hazard teased the Gunners' defenders as he ran through them before firing past Petr Cech in goal. It was a wonderful solo effort; one that typifies what we've come to expect from him.

Chelsea's following two matches against Burnley and Wolves saw Hazard's form dip, though. He didn't have that same zip about him, and it proved costly—notably against Burnley when Chelsea drew 1-1.

The Blues needed some inspiration to unlock a stubborn Clarets back line after Robbie Brady had cancelled out Pedro's opener, but Hazard wasn't up to it. It was a similar story against Wolves, where he frustrated.

The Belgian did end the month well against Swansea City, though, grabbing an assist for Diego Costa after a beautiful run into the box before cutting back for his team-mate.

As the season begins to enter the business end, Hazard needs to rediscover that consistency to ensure Chelsea get over the finish line.
4. Gary Cahill


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Since taking the captain's armband in the absence of John Terry since early October, Gary Cahill has grown in stature at Stamford Bridge.

The Englishman was always a key figure in defence, but now he carries himself differently. He looks more senior, more like a leader, and he has captained the side throughout this wonderful run of form that has seen Conte's men take charge in the title race.

Cahill may not make the headlines or sell football shirts, but what he does do is help win football matches.

Chelsea's back three, with Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz alongside him, is the strongest defensive combination in the Premier League. It may not be the most glamorous, yet there's an argument to suggest that strength carries over into Europe also.

Conte is building something that hints at another dynasty in the Roman Abramovich era, and Cahill is very much at the heart of it.

February wasn't a particualrly exciting month for him or his defensive colleagues, but then that's probably a good thing. We weren't talking about Chelsea's defenders, and that normally means everything has gone how it should have.
3. Cesc Fabregas


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Cesc Fabregas is gradually working his way back into Antonio Conte's thoughts. In a season where he has been forced to watch much of the action from the substitutes bench, the Spaniard is beginning to play more minutes and influence proceedings.

We've seen that in the past month, where Fabregas started against Wolves and Swansea City. He also came off the bench to score against his former club Arsenal and appeared as a sub in the 1-1 draw with Burnley.

In all, Fabregas picked up one assist and scored twice in the four games in which he featured. That's a healthy return for any central midfielder.

February was also a landmark month for the Blues' No. 4, as he made his 300th Premier League appearance, coming in Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Swansea.

Fabregas marked the occasion by opening the scoring and also assisting Pedro for Chelsea's second at Stamford Bridge. Over that triple ton of matches, Fabregas has scored 46 times and picked up 102 assists—an incredible return, meaning he has been involved in a goal close to every other game he has played.

For a player to achieve that over 13 years outlines just how consistently good Fabregas has been in his career.
2. N'Golo Kante


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There has been much more to Leicester City's demise this season than the absence of N'Golo Kante.

But then compare Chelsea's rapid return back to the top of the table since the French midfielder joined the club and we can at least point to a trend. The fortunes of both clubs have been turned on their head, with fingers pointing at Kante as the protagonist.

If that's on paper, then what we're seeing every week from Kante backs it up. He has been incredible at the heart of Chelsea's midfield, breaking up play to win possession and get Chelsea on the move.

The way he applies himself is infectious. It's also key to the way Antonio Conte wants his side to play football. A big part of Chelsea's game is to smother their opponents in central areas, turning over possession to hit them quick while players are out of position.

Kante sets the pace in all of that. He chases every loose ball and maintains the momentum in the middle of the pitch. He reads the game with intelligence, applying a method to his hard work.

It's because of that Chelsea were able to dominate Arsenal the way they did in early February; it was because of Kante they were able to compete with the physical challenge of Burnley at Turf Moor.

Kante may be slight of frame, but he's a figure of significant stature in this Chelsea side.
1. Pedro


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Pedro missed the first couple of months of the season under Antonio Conte, proving a casualty of the changes at Stamford Bridge. He wasn't a regular, forced to share his place with Willian in attack.

Since the 3-4-3 came into force, however, the Spaniard has been electric. Indeed, we'll go so far as to say that he is pushing to be named Chelsea's Player of the Season.

In February especially, Pedro was excellent. He was a massive part of Chelsea winning three games, drawing the other against Burnley.

The former Barcelona man is suited to playing as the inside-right forward of Chelsea's attacking three. That has shown with Pedro's goal return, with hid total of 11 already surpassing his tally of nine from last term. And he has plenty more in him.

Since the turn of the year, he has scored seven goals for the Blues—three of them coming in the past month against Burnley, Wolves and Swansea.

Pedro's strikes are proving vital, too. In February alone, he scored Chelsea's first goal in two matches, while against Swansea, he put them back in front with a long-range effort at a time when anxiety was beginning to set in with the home crowd with the score at 1-1.

He's found his form at the right time. While Diego Costa and Eden Hazard have dipped, Pedro's maintained a goal threat.

Without doubt he was Chelsea's best player in February. Should he continue like he is, there's every reason we can apply that to 2016/17 in it's entirety

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