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
Chelsea have been handed a huge incentive to claim a top three finish in the Premier League. With Tottenham Hotspur failing to beat Bournemouth yesterday afternoon, the Blues can climb above their London rivals today and stay there with a win on the final day of the season next weekend.
Cardiff v Chelsea & Liverpool v Tottenham live in Premier
Carlos Queiroz reportedly stepped down as Iran manager after his team exited the AFC Asian Cup 2019 at the hands of Japan in the semifinals. Bassil Mikdadi, President of Jazzar agency and Founder
Mbappe reaches half century as PSG brush Nimes aside. 2 Min Read. Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v Nimes Olympique - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - February 23, 2019 Paris St
Nimes News and Scores - ESPN FC
David Beckham salutes LA Galaxy and Los Angeles as statue unveiled Beckham won back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012 during his six years and 98 appearances with the Galaxy.
Football: David Beckham salutes LA Galaxy and Los Angeles as
Silverware matters most to Emery as Arsenal aim to win for missing Mkhitaryan It remains to be seen if Mkhitaryan's absence will handicap Arsenal on the field at the Baku Olympic Stadium, as
Silverware matters most to Emery as Arsenal aim to win for
History made as first all-female referee team to officiate men's AFC Cup clash The AFC Cup match between Myanmar's Yangon United and Cambodia's Naga World at the Thuwunna Stadium will witness this
History made as women to referee men's AFC Cup | Greater Kashmir
Osako double saves the day for Japan. Japan's Ritsu Doan shaping to shoot before scoring his team's third goal in their 3-2 Asian Cup Group F win over Turkmenistan yesterday. The Samurai Blue
Football: Osako double saves the day for Japan in 3-2 Asian
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/football-osako-double-saves-the-day-for-japan-in-3-2-asian-cup-win-over-turkmenistan/
Football: Osako double saves the day for Japan in 3-2 Asian Cup win over Turkmenistan Posted on 01/09/2019 ABU DHABI (AFP) - Yuya Osako netted a quickfire double as former champions Japan survived a scare to beat Turkmenistan 3-2 in their Asian Cup opener on Wednesday (Jan 9).
Football: Osako double saves the day for Japan in 3-2 Asian
Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks has batted away suggestions the damaging 3-1 defeat to Wolves was another example of failing to perform under pressure. Spurs capitulated in the final 18 minutes
Harry Winks shrugs off 'Spursy' slight following shock defeat
Football: PSG buy Argentina midfielder Paredes for estimated €47m before Man United clash PARIS (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the French football champions announced on Tuesday (Jan 29).
Paris Saint-Germain 'beat Chelsea to £41million deal' for
Football: Spurs back up to second after 3-0 win at Cardiff
Lions hungry for post-raya victory. The Fandi brothers are back in town to play in this weekend's Merlion Cup. The Straits Times caught up with them on their experience playing overseas, what it's
Flipboard: Lions hungry for post-raya victory
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a penalty kick to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in La Liga on Sunday. It was a match in which the European champions rode their luck to stay within nine points of leaders FC Barcelona.
Bale penalty kick gives below-par Real Madrid win at Levante
Apr 02, 2019 · Built on the site of the old White Hart Lane, their spectacular new home, known for now as The Tottenham Hotspur stadium, has a capacity of 62,062, which makes it the second largest club stadium
Bayern Munich Signing Leroy Sane Would Mark The Start of a
Europa League: 10-man Arsenal slump to heavy loss as Chelsea earn big home win and there was another surprise in Spain where Slavia Prague held five-time Europa League champions Sevilla to a 2
Europa League: Chelsea too strong for Kiev, Arsenal slump at
Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday. The hosts, looking for a second successive
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first
sportstons.com/soccer/football-fulham-dig-deep-to-deny-newcastle-and-earn-first-clean-sheet/
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet LONDON (REUTERS) - Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday (Dec 22).
Football: Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first
0 comments:
Post a Comment