Hazard has decided on Chelsea future

Eden Hazard, long linked with a move to Real Madrid, has told Chelsea what he wants to do at the end of the season.

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has made a decision on his future and told the club what he plans to do at the end of the season.

The Belgium international has long been linked with a transfer to Real Madrid, having not extended his contract at Stamford Bridge, which expires in 2020.

The Blues reportedly want €130million for the forward, who came off the bench in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Leicester City for what could be his final appearance in the Premier League.

Hazard later told reporters that he informed Chelsea of his intentions "a couple of weeks ago" and is "still waiting" for the situation to develop.

"I have made my decision, but it is not just about me," he said. "We have a [Europa League] final to play and then I will see.

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"I wanted [to have the situation sorted out] but that's not happened. I'm still waiting like you are waiting and like the fans are waiting."

 

Chelsea finished third in the Premier League to secure Champions League football next season, while it could yet end the campaign with silverware if it beats Arsenal in the Europa League final, but Hazard says a return to Europe's top competition may not be sufficient to keep him at the club.

"No, I don’t think so," he said. "I have made my decision, that's it."

Hazard gave a thumbs-up to fans after the final whistle, with some displaying a banner calling on the player to commit to the club.

The 28-year-old, who won the Premier League's Playmaker Award after registering 15 assists in 2018-19, insists the speculation over his future has never been a problem for him.

"I have never, never been distracted," he continued. "When you are on the pitch, you try to be focused on the pitch with the ball. That's it.

"When I am on the pitch I just try to do the best. I am not thinking about this and this, my situation or the club's situation. I just try to win games."

Speaking after the draw at the King Power Stadium, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri said: "I know very well that Eden tried to do his best for seven seasons at Chelsea.

"He did very well, and he has become one of the best two or three players in the world, but I think that we have to respect him and his decision.

"I hope of course, like every fan of Chelsea, that he will remain with us, but at the moment I don't know."