Saturday November 30, 2024

Eden Hazzard happy at Chelsea - for the moment

Published : 19 Aug 2018, 19:44

  DF-Xinhua Report
Eden Hazard (front) of Belgium competes during the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between France and Belgium in Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 10, 2018. File Photo Xinhua.

Chelsea's Belgium international winger, Eden Hazzard said in declarations published on Sunday that he would not be leaving this season, but refused to commit his long-term future to the club.

Hazzard was an impressive late substitute as he works his way back to full fitness after the World Cup as his side beat Arsenal 3-2 on Saturday and showed by both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid would be interested in signing him.

Hazzard had sparked speculation over his future after the World Cup, when the 27-year-old said it "it might be time to try something different."

On Sunday he didn't hide from those words: "everybody knows what I have said after the World Cup," he admitted, before saying he would remain at Stamford Bridge for the time being at least.

"I'm happy here. I don't want to talk about it yet. A lot has been said, but at the moment I'm happy. I have two years left on my contract and we'll see what happens. Leaving this year? I won't go," confirmed Hazzard, who said the fact the transfer window is already closed in England makes a move almost impossible.

"Clubs can still sell players, but not sign new ones anymore. It would be a bit strange that they (Chelsea) would sell me now while they can't sign a replacement," he explained.

"Today we have seen that the fans quite like me. I'm good where I am now. Let's see what happens in one or two years," he concluded.

If Hazzard reaches the end of the new season without signing a new contract, Chelsea would be tempted to sell him next summer rather than run the risk of seeing him leave for nothing in the summer of 2020.