Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has made a hugely worrying claim about the future of Eden Hazard, suggesting the club are fighting a losing battle to prevent him sealing a transfer to Real Madrid.
Speaking after today’s win over West Ham, in which Hazard scored a world class solo goal as part of a match-winning brace, Sarri more or less admitted Chelsea may be forced to let their star player go this summer.
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Speculation surrounding the Belgium international has been going on for some time now, with a combination of worrying reports emerging in the last couple of days.
The Sun claim Real Madrid are prepared to pay £100million to sign Hazard this summer, which the Telegraph claim is Chelsea’s asking price for the 28-year-old.
Sarri admits it’s looking difficult to persuade Hazard to stay, and also added to the negativity by suggesting there probably isn’t a player out there who can replace the former Lille star.
Here are the Italian tactician’s quotes from Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella on Twitter:
Sarri on Hazard possibly leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid: "The club doesn't want to sell him but we must all respect his decision I think. He is in the last year of his contract and if he has another decision then we have to respect it. We tried but it is not easy." #CFC #RMCF
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) April 8, 2019
Sarri on Hazard joining Madrid: "I don't know, I am not the club, I can't do anything to answer. I can't answer. [Can we lose him?] From the technical point of view, no not at the moment. There is no other Hazard because the level is so high. I hope Hazard can stay." #CFC #CHEWHU
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) April 8, 2019
It could be a very long summer, Chelsea fans…