Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri has told forward, Eden Hazard that he is free to leave Stamford Bridge if he wants to but the Italian hopes the Belgium international will stay at the club.
Sarri stated this ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
Hazard has been strongly linked with a move to Champions League holders, Real Madrid in recent months.
The 28-year-old further fuelled the speculation when he said in October 2018 that it was his dream to play for the Spanish La Liga giants.
Chelsea are looking to renew his contract, which expires next season, and the west London side risk losing him for free in the close season in 2020 if he does not extend his current deal.
“Eden is 28. If he wants to go, I think he has to go,” Sarri was quoted by Team talk as telling reporters ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
“Of course, I hope the opposite, I hope he wants to stay here. He has the potential to be the best player in Europe at the moment.”
Hazard has 10 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League so far this seaon, often playing up front in a ‘false nine’ role to lead the attack.
But Sarri might play him on the wing again after the arrival of Argentine and Juventus striker, Gonzalo Higuain.
Sarri added: “It’s my job to improve him and put him in a position to do his best”.
