ANTONIO CONTE has insisted Eden Hazard will be staying at Chelsea - and accused Real Madrid of trying to unsettle his star player.
By TONY BANKS
Real Madrid have targeted Belgium star Hazard as one their key acquisitions for this summer, and reports from Spain have indicated that are ready to pay a world record £100million for the 26-year-old.
Chelsea are adamant, however, that they do not want to sell their best player, and Conte said today: “This is a part of the game, to put these rumours out there and put a bit of difficulty in the mind of the players.
“But we have great experience in facing this situation, and so do my players. It's normal to start rumours about our players at this stage of the season.
"It means we are doing a great job, so I'm happy. If Chelsea's players are linked with other teams, it means they are doing very well.
“Eden Hazard is a Chelsea player, our player, we are happy with him and he is happy with us. I don't see any problems about him.
“We all know we are at a great club with great ambition. There is a great will to do great things in the future, and I hope to do great things in the present.
"There are 10 games to play and we hope to finish this season with a great success for us and our fans.”
Chelsea face struggling Crystal Palace tomorrow at Stamford Bridge, and Conte said: “I have not talked to Eden. I don't think it's important to talk with him.
"I talk to him about this season, about the importance of this game. We have to check his fitness. But I hope he stays well and shows great things tomorrow.”
Hazard is expected to be fit to play tomorrow after recovering from a calf injury, but Conte will make late checks on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, wing-back Victor Moses and striker Diego Costa.
Conte also hit back at Arsene Wenger’s taunt that there is only one team in London, saying: “In London there are many teams. I prefer always to have great respect for clubs.”
By TONY BANKS
Chelsea are adamant, however, that they do not want to sell their best player, and Conte said today: “This is a part of the game, to put these rumours out there and put a bit of difficulty in the mind of the players.
“But we have great experience in facing this situation, and so do my players. It's normal to start rumours about our players at this stage of the season.
"It means we are doing a great job, so I'm happy. If Chelsea's players are linked with other teams, it means they are doing very well.
“Eden Hazard is a Chelsea player, our player, we are happy with him and he is happy with us. I don't see any problems about him.
“We all know we are at a great club with great ambition. There is a great will to do great things in the future, and I hope to do great things in the present.
"There are 10 games to play and we hope to finish this season with a great success for us and our fans.”
"I talk to him about this season, about the importance of this game. We have to check his fitness. But I hope he stays well and shows great things tomorrow.”
Hazard is expected to be fit to play tomorrow after recovering from a calf injury, but Conte will make late checks on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, wing-back Victor Moses and striker Diego Costa.
Conte also hit back at Arsene Wenger’s taunt that there is only one team in London, saying: “In London there are many teams. I prefer always to have great respect for clubs.”
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