Yahoo Sports World Cup 2018: Chelsea star Hazard drops HUGE hint over Blues future after leading Belgium to third place
Chelsea star Eden Hazard has dropped the biggest hint yet that he is set to leave the club this summer.
Hazard, 27, scored as Belgium beat England 2-0 in St Petersburg as the Red Devils sealed third place on Saturday.
And the winger has been widely touted to depart the Stamford Bridge club this summer after Barcelona and Real Madrid’s perennial interest.
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Los Blancos have emerged his most likely destination and despite Chelsea appointing Maurizio Sarri on Saturday and announcing the signature of Brazilian-Italian midfielder Jorginho, it seems Hazard’s time at the club is up.
Speaking after Belgium’s 2-0 victory in Russia, he told Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur: “After six wonderful years at Chelsea, it might be time to discover something different. Certainly after this World Cup.
“I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will make the final decision – if they want to let me go.
“You know my preferred destination.”
Eden Hazard: “After 6 wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different. Certainly after this World Cup. I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will make the final decision – if they want to let me go. You know my preferred destination.” #cfc pic.twitter.com/mtuZAXIv9A
— Kristof Terreur 📰 (@HLNinEngeland) July 14, 2018
Madrid sold superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus for a fee approaching €100m, with the Portugal forward departing the Santiago Bernabeu after nine years.
His departure could pave the way for one of the club’s emerging stars – like Marco Asensio – to stake a claim for a first-team spot.
Eden Hazard: "We knew already for a while that Sarri was going to become the new manager. If he's a good manager? If he lets me win trophies, yes. Dries Mertens has told me he's a good coach. We'll have to work hard. The Italian way, but we were used to that with Antonio too."
— Kristof Terreur 📰 (@HLNinEngeland) July 14, 2018
But reports in Spain suggest president Florentino Perez wants to attract another Galactico to replace the outgoing one.
Hazard, who has shone throughout his six years in west London, has scored 69 Premier League goals since his £32million move from Lille in 2012.
The tricksy winger has caught an envious glance from plenty across Europe, especially after his wonderful link-up play with the likes of Diego Costa.
He lifted the Premier League twice, including the league and cup double in 2014-15, and won the Europa League in his first season at the club.
But the attention from Real Madrid – plus a lack of Champions League football for the forthcoming season – could well see the Belgian star move on this summer.
