Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says it is “impossible” for Eden Hazard to leave Stamford Bridge before August ends, despite continued reports linking him with a reunion with Thibaut Courtois at Real Madrid.
Asked whether Hazard could yet depart, Sarri added: “Hazard is with us. I think definitely. It’s not a problem. I have spoken with him three, four times, for everything. He never said something about the market. I think he’s very happy to stay here.
“I think it’s impossible. Here the market is closed, so we cannot change important players now. It’s impossible.”
Sarri was more open to the idea of letting fringe players leave, however.
“Now I think the squad is too large,” the Italian admitted.
“So I think some players have to go on loan. I don’t know who at the moment. I prefer to have 23, 24 players and three, four, very young players. No more.”
The Blues triggered goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s release clause of £71.2million to sign him from Athletic Bilbao as Courtois’ replacement, while Mateo Kovacic came in on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.
“I’m very happy for both, because the Courtois situation was clear,” Sarri said at his press conference ahead of the Blues’ Premier League opener at Huddersfield on Saturday.
“He wanted to go to Madrid, so we lost maybe one of the most important goalkeepers in the world now. We bought a young goalkeeper, I think one of the most important amongst the young goalkeepers in Europe.
“I’m really happy with Kovacic. He has the characteristics for us. I’m really very happy and I think now the squad is complete.”
Maurizio Sarri will hand Eden Hazard the captain’s armband at Chelsea in an attempt to keep him out of Real Madrid’s clutches, according to reports.
There have been claims that the Blues will demand as much as £178milliom (€200million) for Hazard’s services and are reluctant to sell arguably their best player.
Real Madrid sold Cristiano Ronaldo this summer to Juventus for €112million and are looking for a replacement with Hazard heavily linked as their first-choice target.
The Daily Express claims that Chelsea are hopeful that by handing Hazard the captaincy it will persuade him to sign a new deal to remain at Stamford Bridge.
Spanish stars Cesar Azpilicueta and Cesc Fabregas are also thought to be on the list of potential captains but Hazard remains top of the pile.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been linked recently to a £45million move for Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani and their £58m-rated striker Gonzalo Higuain – with Roman Abramovich and director Marina Granovskaia reportedly meeting Sarri in Nice last night to discuss targets.
David Luiz has discussed the possibility of Chelsea losing both Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard.
Courtois has a year remaining on his contract and has been repeatedly linked with a move to Real Madrid. Chelsea risk losing him for a reduced fee in January or for free next summer.
Hazard, whose deal expires in 2020, has stalled over a new contract offer and has long been the subject of speculation over a move to Real.
Head coach Maurizio Sarri on Sunday, following the Community Shield loss to Manchester City at Wembley, said he would sanction Courtois’ departure if the goalkeeper expresses a desire to leave.
And Courtois reportedly stated his wish to the Italian on Monday.
The transfer window for incoming players to Premier League clubs closes this Thursday, so time is against Chelsea if they are to recruit any would-be replacements.
David Luiz has urged Courtois and Hazard to stay, while insisting the Blues have enough quality even if the pair leave.
“Chelsea wants for the best players to stay,” Luiz said.
“They know Chelsea a lot, so they know what they’ve had here, the fun they’ve had here. Everybody loves them and I hope they can stay.
“If they decide to leave, I think we will continue with fantastic players.”