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Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 33
Apr 8, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
West Ham logo

2-0

Hazard (24', 90')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Eden Hazard focused on Chelsea "until end of season" amid Real Madrid links

Hazard focused on Chelsea
© Reuters
The Belgian scored twice against West Ham.

Maurizio Sarri believes Real Madrid target Eden Hazard is irreplaceable at Chelsea.

Hazard's wonder goal set Chelsea en route to their 2-0 Premier League win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge, with the Belgium star also bagging a late second.

West Ham's fans taunted Chelsea by singing "He's off to Madrid", with the Blues' board apparently holding out for £100million from Real to complete a transfer this summer.

Hazard's contract expires next year and, while the 28-year-old claims he is undecided on his long-term future, Chelsea boss Sarri believes the Blues continue to fight to retain their prize asset.

Asked if Chelsea can afford to lose Hazard, Sarri replied: "From the technical point of view, no, not at the moment.

"It's impossible to find another Hazard; at the moment there isn't another Hazard. The level is so high.

"So in the world you can't find another player like that.

"So I hope that Hazard can stay here, otherwise we have to try something different."

Hazard tiptoed round five West Ham players before drilling Chelsea into the lead in west London, with a goal of the rarest quality.

The former Lille playmaker then buried a second at the death as Chelsea stepped up to third in the Premier League table, though having played a game more than Champions League qualification rivals Tottenham and Arsenal.

Madrid appear to be closing in on a deal to sign Hazard this summer, though Chelsea are thought to be holding out for a £100million fee.

Chelsea head coach Sarri remains convinced the Blues are doing all they can to hold onto Hazard however, though did concede that the player himself will have the final say on his destination.

"I am sure the club doesn't want to sell him," said Sarri.

"But of course we all have to respect his decision I think.

"He's in the last season of contract, if he wants to have another experience we have to respect it.

"But we will try of course in any way to convince him. But it's not easy."

When asked if Hazard has told him he wants to leave, Sarri added: "No. He told me that he has to decide."

After branding his stunning opener "special", Hazard insisted he still has not made a decision over whether to join Real Madrid.

"They are wrong! I am focused on Chelsea until the end of the season," Hazard told Sky Sports, when asked about the Hammers' fans claiming he would head to Real this summer.

"I want to finish in the top four and in the Europa League."

Samir Nasri picked up a calf injury warming up at half-time for West Ham.

"Nasri felt a muscle injury in his calf so he was not confident to play," said Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini.

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Eden Hazard celebrates scoring for Chelsea on April 3, 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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