Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said Eden Hazard is free to leave the club if he wants to but the Italian hopes the forward stays at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard has been linked with a move to Spanish side Real Madrid in recent months and the Belgium international has repeatedly dropped hints about his desire to play for the European champions.
Chelsea are looking to renew his contract, which expires next season, and the west London side risk losing him for free in the close season in 2020 if he does not extend his current deal.
"Eden is 28. If he wants to go, I think he has to go," Sarri said ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash at Bournemouth.
"Of course, I hope the opposite, I hope he wants to stay here. He has the potential to be the best player in Europe at the moment."
Hazard has 10 goals and 10 assists in the league this season, often playing up front in a 'false nine' role to lead the attack but Sarri might play him on the wing again after the arrival of Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain.
"It's my job to improve him and put him in a position to do his best," Sarri added.
In October, Hazard said playing for Real Madrid would be a “dream”. “Real Madrid is the best club in the world,” he said. “I don’t want to lie, it is my dream since I was a kid.
“In my head, sometimes I wake up in the morning and think I want to go. Sometimes I think I want to stay, it is a heard decision. It is my future I am 27 and I will turn 28 in January.”
Sarri has often used Hazard as a false nine amid criticism, but intends to continue doing what he believe is best for Chelsea’s talisman.
"Sometimes he’s happy with something less. It’s my job to improve him and put him in a position to do his best," added Sarri.
Reuters
