Olivier Giroud is eager to see Eden Hazard stay at Chelsea, having called the Belgium playmaker “a very special player”.
Blues fans feared Hazard may depart Stamford Bridge in this transfer window, particularly when he hinted at an interest in moving to Real Madrid after the World Cup.
However, speculation over that transfer has cooled in recent weeks and it appears the 27-year-old will begin his seventh season with Chelsea when their Premier League campaign starts at Huddersfield Town this weekend.
Giroud would see that outcome as a major victory for the club given his view on Hazard, whose Belgium team were beaten by eventual World Cup winners France at the semi-final stage.
“We want to keep him at Chelsea, it’s a great feeling to play with this kind of player,” the French striker told reporters.
Though Hazard’s mooted move to Madrid may not materialise, club and international colleague Thibaut Courtois does appear bound for the Spanish capital.
Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s €80million (£72m) release clause has been activated, which paves the way for his expected switch to Chelsea and should allow Courtois to complete an anticipated transfer to Madrid.
“If he leaves it’s going to be sad for us because he is a great keeper,” Giroud added of Courtois.
Real Madrid are expecting Thibaut Courtois to arrive in Madrid on Thursday ahead of completing a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, according to Belgium news outlets.It is understood Courtois is currently in Belgium awaiting permission from Chelsea to fly to Madrid to undergo a medical. Courtois is keen to move back to Madrid, where he spent three years with Atletico, due to family reasons.The 26-year-old, who has less than year remaining on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, did not report back for training on Monday after being given extra time off following the World Cup.
Courtois graduated through the youth system of Genk, and aged 18, he played a key role in the team’s Belgian Pro Leaguevictory. In July 2011 he joined Chelsea for a reported £8 million, and was immediately loaned to Atlético Madrid. In three seasons there, he won the Europa League in 2012, the Copa del Rey in 2013 and the La Liga title in 2014.
He also won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for best goalkeeper in La Liga, for his performances in his two latter seasons. Courtois returned to Chelsea in July 2014, and in his first season he helped them win the League Cup and the Premier League title.
Courtois made his senior international debut in October 2011, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to represent Belgium. He has since earned over 50 caps and appeared at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup where he was awarded the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper of the tournament.