YOUR MOVE EDEN
Conte: I can’t stop Hazard if he wants to leave
ANTONIO CONTE says Eden Hazard will decide his own future if Real Madrid step up their interest in him.
And while the Blues boss insists Chelsea are determined to hold on to the player, he admits everything is possible if the La Liga giants make a move.
The Spaniards have targeted the 26-year-old and are believed to be preparing a world record £100m bid.
Conte is confident the Premier League leaders have no plans to cash in on a player who has helped them to dominate this season’s title race and has three years left on his current deal.
But the Italian admits it will also come down to the player himself to decide whether the lure of a move to the Bernabeu Stadium is too great to resist.
Conte, though, believes Hazard is happy at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “I don’t think that this idea (to sell Hazard) is in the mind of the club. We have to improve and reinforce the team.
“But you know that, in football, there is also the will of the player.
“I also think Eden is very happy to stay in Chelsea, to stay with us and work with us. Yes, I can tell this. But the future... I haven’t got a crystal ball, no.”
Asked if Chelsea can hold on to a player in the face of interest from Real, he added: “I think that everything is possible, everything is possible in football.
“But not only for Eden, but for every single player. Everything is possible.
“You must understand that there are different wills to compare, and then to take the decision.”
Chelsea are keen to offer Belgium star Hazard a new contract but talks have not yet started.
Conte added: “I think that Eden is very happy to stay with us and work with us.
“I think his family is very happy to stay here and play for this team, for this club.
Pressure
“The fans love him and I think there are a lot of positive things that bring him to stay here and to try to reach the best with this club.
“Don’t forget, the target of this club is to try to win in every competition we play in.”
Hazard will be part of Conte’s side at Everton tomorrow as Chelsea attempt to crank up the pressure on second-placed Spurs, who face Arsenal later in the day. Conte said: “I think that this season he has improved a lot, not only on the pitch but also, I think, he is becoming mentally stronger.
“At this level it’s very important to try to have this step because this step brings you up to the best players in the world – and I think that Eden is starting to do this step.
“I see a player with good maturity, who wants to be decisive during a game.”