Move would be good for Hazard: Martinez
BELGIUM football manager Roberto Martinez has urged his captain Eden Hazard to leave Chelsea this summer amid interest from Real Madrid.
Hazard was named runner-up to Luka Modric for the Golden Ball at the World Cup after leading Belgium to a third-place finish in Russia.
And he could soon be a teammate of Modric’s after Hazard suggested he could leave the Blues this summer after six years at the club.
“After six wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different. Cer- tainly after this World Cup,” he said.
“I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will make the final decision — if they want me to go. You know my preferred destination.”
And now Martinez has weighed in on Hazard’s future, telling Spanish radio that it could finally be time for the 27-year-old to leave west London.
“Players need new challenges and new projects,” Martinez told Cadena Ser.
“Perhaps it’s a good time for (Chelsea) and for Hazard (to split). I would be very surprised if Chelsea didn’t have big offers for him right now.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United remain hopeful that Alexis Sanchez will join their tour of the United States, or otherwise the forward will head into the new Premier League season heavily undercooked.
Sanchez was denied a US visa for this month’s pre-season tour due to a 16-month suspended jail sentence for tax fraud that he accepted in Spain earlier this year.
It means United have been forced to leave one of their star players at home as they embark on a five-match tour, with US law ruling that no person found guilty of fraud can be granted a visa to enter the country from overseas.
United remain hopeful that Sanchez will be allowed to join up with the squad through the waiver system. NORTHERN Ireland wing-back Ryan McLaughlin has landed a move to League One side Blackpool from Oldham Athletic, who were relegated from the division.
The 23-year-old makes the switch after the two clubs agreed compensation for the player, who was out of contract following the end of last season and was always likely to move on.
McLaughlin has agreed a twoyear deal at Bloomfield Road and will be hoping to fight his way into the starting line-up.
He joins another Northern Ireland international at the club after Jordan Thompson netted a move to the Tangerines from Rangers earlier this summer.
Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer admitted he is thrilled to get the deal done and is excited to see what McLaughlin can bring to the table.
“I’m absolutely delighted to bring Ryan to the club,” said Bowyer. “We have been working very hard on this deal all summer and his desire to join us has been incredible.
“He’s an exciting addition capable of playing in a variety of positions and, in my opinion, he has all the qualities to play at a higher level.
“We’re looking forward to bringing that talent out during his time with us.”
McLaughlin, who went on tour with Northern Ireland to Central America in May/June and featured in both matches against Panama and Costa Rica, is also happy to get the deal over the line.
“It’s been on the cards for a while and I’m delighted to finally get it all done,” he told Blackpool’s official website. “I’m looking forward to getting into training now and seeing all the lads.
“I talked to the manager and I got a really good feel for the club when I was speaking to him. I’m just delighted to come here.”
Blackpool, who finished 12th in League One last season, begin their push to gain promotion to the Championship with a trip to Wycombe on August 4.