Conte in Hazard warning
ANTONIO CONTE claims he is powerless to stop league champions Chelsea selling Eden Hazard.
The Blues boss heads into today’s Community Shield amid growing speculation over Belgium international’s future.
Hazard will miss the Wembley date against Arsenal through injury, but he has long been on Real Madrid’s radar.
And with Barcelona expected to make a statement signing following last week’s shock £199m sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-germain, the former Footballer of the Year is once again the centre of attention.
Asked how much Hazard is worth, Conte admitted: “I expect Eden to play for
Chelsea, but I wouldn’t know a value.
“At the moment, we are trying to improve our squad. It’s not the right moment to lose a player – any players.
“I have great consideration for this player. He is a top player. But I’m the coach.
“I can give my opinion but the final decision is with the club.”
Conte’s briefing ahead of the re-run of the FA Cup Final only confirmed the head coach is becoming increasingly disgruntled with the lack of movement in the transfer market.
Asked to explain Nemanja Matic’s £40m defection to Manchester United, the Italian had snapped: “You will have to ask the club about this.”
And he ruled out Chelsea making a marquee signing at a value anywhere near £100m, saying for the money he wanted several additions.
He added: “Now would not be the right moment for Chelsea to spend all of that money on just one player.
“We need a lot of players and it is important to divide this money for them.”