Act now on Hazard, Sarri tells Chelsea bosses
LONDON • Maurizio Sarri has made plain his frustration over the contractual stand-off between Eden Hazard and Chelsea by telling the club's hierarchy it is "time to decide" on the winger's future for the good of the club.
The Belgian's deal expires in June 2020 and, despite Chelsea's best efforts since the summer of last year, he has decided against an extension. He has also made no secret of his desire to play for Real Madrid.
The Blues have offered him more than £300,000 (S$520,500) a week. It is unclear what more they could have done but Sarri feels the situation has gone on for too long.
"It's time to decide," the Chelsea manager said. "We have to solve this problem if we want to programme the future."
The Italian has never made his feelings on the issue so clear and his remarks may sit uncomfortably with the club's directors, who were at odds with former manager Antonio Conte over transfer policy.
"Yes, I am a bit surprised (it has gone on this long) but I don't know the past so I can't say anything," the 59-year-old added.
"I am not the president, I am not in charge of the market. I want to speak to him (Hazard) only about the position on the pitch."
Sarri, who will be without Spanish forward Pedro (hamstring injury) for today's Premier League match at Crystal Palace, is also keen to keep Hazard playing as a "false nine" in the absence of the injured Alvaro Morata.
Hazard has said he prefers to play on the wing but Sarri said the impact the Belgian has made with the switch supports his decision.
"He played four matches as false No. 9, scored three goals and had two assists," the manager said.
Hazard boasts a hand in 19 Premier League goals this season, more than any other player, and was again on the scoresheet with a brace in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Watford on Boxing Day.
Speaking ahead of today's game, Palace manager Roy Hodgson said it is "very difficult" to stop the forward when he is at his best.
"He has got all the skills that make him hard to contain," said the 71-year-old, whose side have already beaten champions Manchester City and drawn with Manchester United and Arsenal this season.
"He knows when to release the ball and when to hold it, and when to go for the big prize."
THE GUARDIAN, REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
CRYSTAL PALACE V CHELSEA
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 8pm
Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has earned a world fortune from being sacked as a manager. The Portuguese's time at Old Trafford came to a halt on Tuesday morning after two and a half
Jose Mourinho told Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich: 'Pay me
Neymar will travel to Qatar to undergo a "complete assessment" six weeks into his recovery from a fractured right foot. Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment | Sport24
Aspetar - Neymar heads to Aspetar for medical assessment
Five things we learnt from the Premier League this weekend
Palace rout Leicester to step up pressure on Puel | Pictures
Ikhsan Fandi scores first competitive goal for Norwegian club Ikhsan Fandi's (blue boots) Raufoss teammates chase him after his last-gasp goal gave his side a 3-2 win over Skeid Fotball. PHOTO
Ikhsan Fandi scores 1st goal for Norwegian club Raufoss with
Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions League final MADRID (AFP) - Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's (June 1) all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions Lea
World Cup winner Buffon to leave Paris Saint-Germain. By. AFP who won the World Cup in 2006 and is Italy's most-capped player with 176 appearances, did not say whether he would be retiring
(REUTERS) - England's preparations for their Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands on June 6 could be thrown into disarray if two English Premier League teams reach the Champions
Football: Champions League final may 'mess' with England's
Manager Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's slow starts to the second half are becoming a "big problem", after they beat Slavia Prague to reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Chelsea beat Slavia Prague to reach Europa League semi-finals
Everton drop to fifth after Liverpool's 2-0 win against Hull City at Anfield, but Baines still feels the Toffees are in good shape at the start of the new year.
Everton vs Swansea: Instant Reaction | Easy in the end for
ABU DHABI (REUTERS) - Almoez Ali scored with a spectacular overhead kick for a record ninth goal of the Asian Cup to set Qatar on their way to a first continental title with a stunning 3-1 win
Soccer: Ali on target as Qatar stun Japan to win first Asian Cup
Manchester City remain a point behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race after a Sergio Aguero penalty secured them a 1-0 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola's side
Aguero penalty gives Man City 1-0 win over West Ham - The
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment