Chelsea player Willian has insisted Eden Hazard is totally focused on Chelsea despite growing suggestions he is on his way to Real Madrid.
Hazard has long been linked with a move to the Bernabeu
And the prospects of the 28-year-old finally making the move to Spain increased when Real re-appointed Zinedine Zidane as manager earlier this week.
Hazard has described Zidane as his “idol” in the past – and with talks over a new Chelsea deal seemingly stalled their is a growing belief he is about to make the move to La Liga.
Yet Willian, 30, says there is nothing in the way his team-mate is going about his business with the Blues to suggest he is anything but fully committed to delivering success for the London club.
He said: “No doubt, he’s focused here.
“He’s never said something about Real Madrid or stuff like this.
“He just wants to continue to play for Chelsea.
“First of all, I hope he stays with us. But in football you never know what can happen.
“Of course, Eden is a fantastic player, one of the best players in the world. He’s my friend, one of the best players I’ve played with in my whole career.
“I just have to say I hope he stays with us. That’s it.”
Ever since arriving as manager at Stamford Bridge, Maurizio Sarri has been forced to contend with speculation linking his star player with Madrid.
Events in Spain which have resulted in Zidane’s return have only increased the talk, especially with Hazard now approaching the final year of his contract in West London.
Sarri said: “At the moment, I didn’t speak with Eden about Zidane so I don’t know.
“I am not worried because you know very well my opinion – I want in my team only the players who want to play for Chelsea, so I cannot be worried.”