SARRI: I BELIEVE EDEN & CO WILL STAY

Perth Glory 0 Chelsea 1 MAURIZIO SARRI says he is confident of keeping Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Willian at Chelsea.

The new Blues boss plans to speak s to the trio in the next few days and hopes they will remain at Stamford Bridge.

Belgium stars Hazard and Courtois have been linked with moves to Real Madrid, while Brazil ace Willian is a Barcelona target.

The influential trio have yet to return for pre-season training as they recover from the World Cup, meaning new Blues manager Sarri must wait to discuss their futures.

Speaking after his first Chelsea game in charge ended in a friendly win over Aussies Perth Glory, the Italian said: “It’s a pleasure to have Courtois, to have Willian, to have Hazard, but their futures do not depend on me, not only on me.

“So, we have to wait. I’m confident.”

Keeper Courtois has only a year remaining on his contract, while forwards Hazard and Willian each have an additional 12 months.

Asked when he would have a chance to talk to the players, Sarri added: “Face to face, I think, at the end of the month, because that’s when they will come to Cobham (training ground).”

Spanish forward Pedro (celebrating with Callum HudsonOdoi, left) scored the only goal at the Optus Stadium against Perth Glory, netting inside five minutes.

While N’Golo Kante, Gary Cahill, and Andreas Christensen were also absent, there was a debut for £50million midfielder Jorginho.