HazardwarningforBlues

‘I want good players, because I want to win next season,’ admits Chelsea playmaker

EDEN HAZARD says he is waiting to see if Chelsea buy “good players” this summer before signing a new deal, and committing his peak years as a player to the club.

The Belgian star’s current contract runs out in 2020 and, although the Stamford Bridge hierarchy desperately want him to agree a new one, the fact that he is 27 years of age means he knows this is probably the last deal he will sign in his prime.

As such, Hazard wants assurances his team can compete at the very top level, but that at a time when there are suddenly a lot of questions about Chelsea’s plans.

“I want good players, because I want to win next season the Premier League,” the playmaker asserted ahead of the FA Cup final. Chelsea’s drop from first to fifth has come amid a lot of discussion about their ability to still compete at the top end of the market and, when asked about such inconsistency, Hazard conspicuously said: “This is Chelsea! You never know what’s happening for the season.”

The number 10 did state Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester United would not be his last match for the club and that he is “happy” at Stamford Bridge amid so much speculation about his future and interest from Real Madrid and Manchester City, but there are no guarantees his current contract – signed in 2015 – will not be his last.

Chelsea know the importance of keeping a player of Hazard’s status at such a trying time, and after initial talks are willing to offer him a deal of £300,000 a week. The Belgian, however, wants to see if the club will match his ambition with new signings of similar status.

“Like I say many times before, I think it is not my last game,” Hazard stated.

“It’s the last game of the season, that’s it. After the World Cup then we will be ready for the next season. But for me in my mind, I’m here, I have one week to play now. Saturday is a massive game, I just want to win for me and them also. That’s why I’m taking my time,” Hazard said when it was put to him that he’s 27, and likely signing his last major deal.

“It’s something big, so, yeah… I need to think of a lot of things. But, you know, one thing for sure is I’m happy here.

“I’m waiting for new players next season,” Hazard continued when asked about what he is considering. “We’ll see. I want good players, because I want to win next season the Premier League. Yeah, a lot of things, then we will see.” (© Independent News Service)