EPL

Conte can't stop Hazard leaving Chelsea

Antonio Conte will have little say in Eden Hazard's future if Premier League champion Chelsea decides to sell its key playmaker.

Matt Dorman
06 August, 2017 22:21 IST

While insisting Hazard is happy at Stamford Bridge, Conte conceded that any offer for the 26-year-old will rest with the club's hierarchy.   -  Getty Images

Matt Dorman
06 August, 2017 22:21 IST

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte admits he's powerless to prevent the sale of Eden Hazard should Barcelona come calling for the Belgian star.

Hazard has reportedly been identified as a possible replacement for Neymar at Camp Nou, while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked during the close-season.

Conte has already hinted at his displeasure over Nemanja Matic's departure to Manchester United and is adamant the champion still requires strengthening.

While insisting Hazard is happy at Stamford Bridge, the Italian conceded any offer for the 26-year-old will rest with the club's hierarchy.

"I am the coach and I can give my opinion. But the final decision is always the club's," Conte said.

"I think these are rumours and Eden is very happy to stay with us, to play with Chelsea and to start the new season.

"We are trying to buy players, not to sell them. Otherwise the number is always less and we are in trouble."

Support Sportstar

Dear Reader,

Support our journalism — where text and pictures intermingle so seamlessly — and help us scale up your experience as the world changes around us. Your contribution is vital to our brand of uninfluenced, boots-on-the-ground reportage that’s worth your while. Clickbait sensationalism is not for us, but editorial independence is — we owe it to you.

  Dugout videos