Chelsea manager can’t guarantee Hazard stays next season

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has revealed he cannot guarantee that he can convince Eden Hazard to remain at the club over the summer.

Hazard, 26, has emerged as a top transfer target for Real Madrid this summer after returning to his best form to inspire Chelsea to within touching distance of the Premier League title.

Conte is confident that Hazard is happy at Chelsea but realises that things can change very quickly in football, which is not what Chelsea fans will want to hear.

“I think that it’s impossible for me to take this responsibility,” Sky Sports quote Conte as saying when asked whether he can guarantee Hazard remains at the club.

“Not only for Eden, but for every single player. In this situation, the club has the final decision. I can tell my opinion about this situation, but the club has the final word about this situation. I think this is right.

“I don’t think that this idea [to sell Hazard] is in the mind of the club, because I think that we have to improve the team, reinforce the team. But you know that in football there is also the will of the player.

“I think also Eden is very happy to stay in Chelsea. I can tell this but I don’t have a crystal ball for the future. I think anything is possible in football. But not only for Eden, but for every single player.

“Everything is possible, because you most understand there are different wills to compare, and to take the decision.”

The Belgium international was edged out in the race to win the PFA Player of the Season by teammate N’Golo Kante but he is the current highest player in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.

Hazard has scored 15 goals in the Premier League this season, his best return in a single league campaign in his five seasons at the club.

For more stats on Eden Hazard, click here to visit his WhoScored player page