Hazard must decide over new contract, says Sarri
LONDON: Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard must make up his mind whether he wishes to commit to Chelsea and extend his contract wortharumoured£350,000($450,000) a week, the club’s manager Maurizio Sarri said.
The 27-year-old — whose present deal runs till June 2020 — was linked with a move to Real Madrid after a stunning World Cup in which he inspired Belgium to their best ever finish of third.
However, Sarri said Chelsea’s offer was on the table and now the ball lay in Hazard’s court.
Hazard, who joined Chelsea for £32 million from Ligue 1 outfit Lille in 2012, has spoken often about the dilemma he faces in re-signing for the Blues or taking his chances at Real.
“The club is available to sign a new contract immediately, but it’s up to him if he wants to renew or not,” said Sarri.
“I want Eden here, of course, but I want him here if he wants to stay here.”
The risk Chelsea run is if no contract extension is agreed by next summer, Hazard may be sold or else the club would risk losing him for nothing at the end of the 2019-20 season.
“I know very well that there are discussions between the club and the manager of Eden every week, I think, so if there is something new, the club will call me immediately.”
Spanish international Cesar Azpilicueta, one of the longestserving players at Chelsea, signed a new four-year contract on Tuesday.
But apart from Hazard, Sarri also risks losing veterans David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas. LONDON: Manchester City opened up a ive-point lead at the top of the table with a seventh straight Premier League victory, but were made to work for a 2-1 win at Watford on Tuesday.
City’s goals came either side of half-time as Leroy Sane chested home to end Watford’s resistance before Riyad Mahrez swept home early in the second period.
However, they had to withstand a nervy finish after Abdoulaye Doucoure bundled home five minutes from time.
“It was a good old Premier League game, as soon as they scored long balls start coming, they are extremely physical up front,” said City captain Vincent Kompany.
“We managed the game pretty well. You can’t win every game playing fantasy football.”
Pep Guardiola made six changes to his starting line-up despite also missing Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne through injury.
Yet, City were still too strong for the dogged hosts for the vast majority of the game with Watford thankful to goalkeeper Ben Foster for the visitors not racking up the 5-0 and 6-0 thrashings they did on their two previous visits to Vicarage Road.
Guardiola changed his entire back four from Saturday’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth and left the inform Raheem Sterling on the bench for the full 90 minutes.
Mahrez came in for the England international and the luxury of options on offer to Guardiola was obvious as both his wide men found the net in Sterling’s absence.
However, Watford were left to rue their chances before the break against a City defence that appeared to miss Aymeric Laporte as the Frenchman was rotated for the first time in the league this season.
Roberto Pereyra has already produced some spectacular goals for the Hornets this season and the Argentine was inches away from another when he curled just wide inside 10 minutes. City soon took control, though, and Foster made a brilliant save to deny Sane after the German had intercepted a wayward Pereyra pass.
The former England international also spread himself well to claw away Mahrez’s attempted dink over the ‘keeper. Yet, the best save of the opening half came down the other end when Ederson stretched out his left foot to block Troy Deeney’s effort from point-blank range.
Moments later, City were finally in front. Mahrez’s cross picked out Sane unmarked at the back post and he cleverly used his chest to power the ball below Foster. Elsewhere, Bournemouth moved above Manchester United, up to sixth thanks to a 2-1 win over Huddersfield.
Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser continued their fine personal seasons by giving the hosts a 2-0 lead inside 22 minutes before Terence Kongolo pulled a goal back for the Terriers.