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Chelsea transfer news: Eden Hazard reaffirms loyalties to Blues and rejects Real Madrid 'done deal'

Hazard says he has not already signed for Real Madrid and hinted he could yet stay with Chelsea next season

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 14 April 2016 09:30 BST

(2016 Getty Images)

Eden Hazard has rejected claims he has already agreed a deal to sign for Real Madrid in the summer and says that he is ready to return for Chelsea after missing the last month with injury, although he stopped short of committing his future to the club beyond the end of the season.

Hazard has missed Chelsea’s last four matches due to a hip injury, and he has been repeatedly linked with a move to Real off the back of a season in which he has suffered a dramatic slump in form. Having won the PFA Player of the Year award last season, Hazard has not scored a single goal in the Premier League this season and was criticised by Chelsea fans for being one of the players who underperformed earlier in the season, leading to Jose Mourinho’s dismissal in December.

With Chelsea set to undergo a major squad reconstruction under incoming manager Antonio Conte, Hazard could be one of those heading for the Stamford Bridge exit, but he says his loyalties remain with Chelsea and admitted he could stay for the duration of his contract, which expires in 2020.

“Have I signed for Real? No, that’s not true, I do not know who said that.

“For now, I am at Chelsea. I have a season to finish, and my contract ends in four years. For now, I’m here, and I am, and I want to get back on the field with Chelsea.”

The 25-year-old has previously admitted that he doesn’t know what the future holds in terms of remaining with the outgoing Premier League champions, but his latest comments suggest he could yet remain with the Blues next season.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

Show all 14

1/1414 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Diego Costa

The controversial striker is reportedly unhappy in England and believes that the country’s referees and media are targeting him. A move back to Atletico Madrid could be on the cards if the new manager cannot convince him to stay.

Getty

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Thibaut Courtois

The goalkeeper’s form has suffered since his knee injury earlier this season and, according to reports, Conte could cash in while the Belgium international’s value remains high. A wise move?

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Radamel Falcao

The desperately out-of-form striker has confirmed that he will return to Monaco for pre-season training, bringing an end to what has been a disastrous two-year spell in England.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Loic Remy

Another player in need of a fresh start. He’s been a small fish in a big pond ever since joining Chelsea but has enough quality to become the focal point of an attack elsewhere.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Nemanja Matic

His fall from grace has slightly overlooked this season. Imperious upon arrival, he’s fallen behind John Obi Mikel in the pecking order – a state of affairs that many would barely be able to believe this time last year.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Alexandre Pato

Despite his brilliant debut at Villa Park, the Brazilian may have done too little too late to earn a permanent contract. Any offer would be a mistake unless he can definitively answer questions over his fitness.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Oscar

One of the few players in the squad who can provide the odd moment of magic but infuriatingly inconsistent. The Brazil international can still command a decent market price and is therefore dispensable.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Nathan Ake (Watford)

The 21-year-old defender spent last season on loan with Watford, and he will continue his Premier League education this term with Bournemouth after joining the Cherries in a season-long loan.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Romelu Lukaku (Everton)

The Belgium international has made no secret of his desires to play for a Champions League club and, according to The Independent’s Mark Ogden, Conte has made him his number one priority this summer.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)

Formerly an all-action enforcer in Conte’s successful Juventus sides, the Chile international would bring steel and dynamism to Chelsea’s central midfield. The likelihood of prising him Bayern Munich’s hands, however, could be slim.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Radja Nainggolan (Roma)

A suitable back-up plan if Vidal is not a practical target. The Belgium international has the quality to fit in at an elite club.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> John Stones (Everton)

Chelsea’s high-profile pursuit of the defender was ultimately fruitless and, in the time since, he’s shown he’s probably not yet worth Everton’s asking price of £40million. However, with Terry on his way, a centre-back is needed. Will Conte pay the premium on Stones’ potential?

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Andreas Christensen (Borussia Monchengladbach)

The 19-year-old defender is currently on loan in Germany and his current club are desperate to make the deal permanent, so impressive has he been. Chelsea, however, would be foolish to let another talented youngster slip from out their grasp, especially when he could be a cut-price improvement in a key area.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)

Conte’s arrival could be the reprieve that the Colombian’s Chelsea career needs but the question is – does he actually want to move back to the Bridge? After a successful period on loan in Serie A, the league in which he made his name, he may be the one who needs convincing.

Getty

The Belgium international expressed his long-term desire to play for Real not long after he arrived at Stamford Bridge from Lille in a £32m deal in 2012, and after being billed as a possible rival to the dominance in the Ballon d’Or of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Hazard appeared destined for big things.

Lionel Messi wins 5th Ballon D'Or

However, Chelsea’s downfall this season coincided with the winger’s own troubled period on the field, and he has since been forced to sit on the sidelines due to the hip injury that, he admits, is still bothering him despite his imminent return.

“I’m fine. I’ve been back training for the last three or four days,” said Hazard.

“Sometimes it does still hurt a little because I try to force it, but I hope to be ready for Chelsea’s next matches.

Hazard has missed Chelsea's last four matches with a hip injury (PA)

“Being injured is not cool, but sometimes it allows you to relax — although I prefer to be on the field.

“I am hungry for football, as always, but even more because it’s been a month that I have been on the side.

"I am impatient to come back, play and score.”

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