Morata predicts Hazard will not push for move
Chelsea’s former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata does not believe Eden Hazard will push for a move to the Spanish club, despite the Blues star casting fresh doubt on his future.
In-form forward Hazard has spoken of his dilemma over whether to stick with Chelsea, the club he joined in June 2012, or seek to fulfil his dream of playing for Real.
Two key Chelsea players have departed for the Spanish capital in the last two years: Diego Costa for Atletico Madrid in October 2017 and Thibaut Courtois for Real in July 2018.
Both players made clear their desire to leave Stamford Bridge, but Morata does not anticipate Hazard forcing the issue.
Spanish station SER reported on Tuesday that Madrid are ready to make a January move for Hazard, whose contract expires at the end of next season.
Morata, who joined Chelsea from Real in July 2017, told Spanish broadcaster Cuatro, according to AS: “We’ve said that it’s not that he wants to leave Chelsea but if Madrid come in for him, that won’t be an obstacle.
“The thing is that he has a very good relationship with the club, he’s happy there and it’s not like other cases when a player wants to leave a club at any cost, but if it’s good for Chelsea they will keep that in mind.”
Hazard’s current contract, signed in February 2015, ends in June 2020. The offer of an extension is yet to be taken up, with Hazard pondering his options.
The 27-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Madrid after helping Belgium finish third at the World Cup.
His sensational form for Maurizio Sarri’s side, topping the Premier League scoring charts with seven goals, has revived the link.
And after Sunday’s win at Southampton, Hazard revealed he is torn between signing a new deal in west London and a move to Madrid.
