Hazard Denies Extending Chelsea Contract

By Joshua Walters

Eden Hazard has denied reports that he has extended his contract with Chelsea, fueling rumors that a move out of Stamford Bridge may be imminent for the Belgian international.

Hazard has been a transfer target for many clubs in Europe with Real Madrid rumored to be chasing his signature.

The playmaker has two more years to run on his contract with Chelsea, who are keen on keeping him, though the player has been dilly-dallying over the club’s request that he extended his contract.

“I haven't signed a contract, not yet, not yet.” Hazard stated on Friday.

Hazard has been influential for Chelsea since joining them from Lille in 2012 for £32 million.

He has played 213 games and scored 72 goals, and gave his views on working under former coach Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri.

'Sarri is a manager who likes to have the ball. That makes a big difference. Besides that, he's an Italian. Just like under Conte there's a lot of tactics and we have to work hard in training.

'I don't feel like saying that I didn't have any freedom under my previous managers. Conte and (Jose) Mourinho also let me do what I wanted in the last third. That's why I could excel under them too. Defensively, I know what I have to do.'

“We have different players, players we didn't have last season, players who like to have the ball.  We have more possession than before. The attacking players benefit from that.”