Sarri ramps up Hazard charm offensive

Maurizio Sarri intensified Chelsea attempts to keep Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge by insisting the Belgian can win everything by staying.

And one Chelsea supporter has played his part by paying £7,000 to try to help the club convince Hazard to sign a new contract.

The fan, who wants to remain anonymous, has funded a 100ft-by-50ft banner, which reads “Eden Hazard we want you to stay” and will be displayed during today’s lunchtime kick-off against Manchester United.

Chelsea fanzine cfcuk was approached by the fan, who supplied the image of Hazard’s knee-slide celebration and the wording he wanted to be used, to organise the making of the banner that will be displayed in the Matthew Harding Lower Stand.

Hazard is waiting to see whether Real Madrid promise to make a big push to buy him next summer, before deciding to re-sign with Chelsea.

Last week he claimed that a move to Spain may help his chances of winning the Ballon d’or, despite going into the United game on the back of eight goals in his past eight appearances. Sarri, the head coach, said: “It will be important for us if he remains. Very, very important. But I think also that he can win everything, possibly a Ballon d’or, here. Without playing in Spain.

“Because, for example, Chelsea will be able to win the Champions League. Belgium could win the European Championship. He could win everything, without playing in Spain.”

Asked whether he had told Hazard, who has 18 months remaining on his deal, that he could win the Ballon d’or at Chelsea, Sarri replied: “Not at the moment, because I have seen him for the first time in the last two weeks only yesterday. But I want to tell it to him soon.”