Hazard sets out what Chelsea must do to convince him to sign a new deal in 2019

It has been a game of cat and mouse between Eden Hazard and rumours linking him with a move away from Chelsea in 2019.

Real Madrid have long held an interest in the Belgian and the player himself has been noncommittal when asked about his future.

He continued to send mixed messages to fans after his side’s 2-1 victory over Watford, telling them exactly what they wanted to hear after scoring his 100th and 101st goals for the club to secure victory at Vicarage Road.

“The fans, me, the club and players, we want more and to score more goals for this club,” he said. “And to try to be a legend, like [Frank] Lampard, [John] Terry and [Didier] Drogba.”

By citing those three legendary figures of Chelsea’s recent past, Hazard wasn’t just picking out examples of excellence but loyalty too.

However, when asked more directly about his future and his current role in the team under Maurizio Sarri, the 27-year-old effectively told his manager what must be done to ensure he does extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

The winger’s current deals runs until summer 2020. If he does not renew in 2019, the Blues will find themselves in the sort of situation that has forced Arsenal into a corner in recent transfer windows with Aaron Ramsey, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

What must Chelsea do to keep their star player? Hazard’s demands are fairly straightforward.

1. Play Hazard in his favourite position

Sarri has come to deploy Hazard up front, through the middle. It is a role that has been described as a false nine, similar to how Lionel Messi played for Barcelona under Pep Guardiola.

That system saw the Argentinian drag defenders out of position to allow his teammates out wide to attack the space created by the chaotic positioning his movement caused in the final third to the opposition’s shape.

Hazard has played more like an out-and-out striker and while he has scored goals it hasn’t been a satisfying experience for the Belgian.

2. Allow Hazard to realise his ambitions as a No. 10

Whether it was playing out wide on the left for Jose Mourinho as a winger occupying two or three defenders per game or slipping through the channels from behind the striker in Antonio Conte’s 3-4-2-1 formation, Hazard has been at his best when he has had the freedom to run at opponents and pick the best angle of approach to undermine his markers.

3. Sign a new top class striker

It is one move that would go a long way to solving the first two points on this list.

Alvaro Morata has so far failed to impress on a consistent basis for Chelsea as the team’s main striker.

He has had his moments, and seemed all set for a bright career at the club after joining from Real Madrid in the summer of 2017.

The Spaniard scored scored six goals in his opening six Premier League games and grabbed his side’s first goal in a historic 2-1 away win against Atletico Madrid in the group stages of the Champions League.

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