Eden Hazard says that he is finding it a ‘hard decision’ over whether to sign a new Chelsea contract and has reiterated that moving to Real Madrid is something he dreams about.
Chelsea are keen to secure Hazard on a new deal after a summer of interest from Madrid, but the Belgian has so far been unwilling to renew a contract which has less than two years left.
The 27-year-old has been key to Chelsea’s impressive form this campaign, with Maurizio Sarri’s side second in the Premier League on goal difference after eight matches going into the international break.
Hazard is the Premier League’s top scorer with seven goals after another goal in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Southampton and he concedes that his next decision could define his future.
“Yes, that’s why I spoke after the World Cup and I said that I think it is time to change because I played a great World Cup,” Hazard told reporters at St Mary’s Stadium. “I am really in the game, I am playing good football at the moment. Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don’t want to lie today.
“It is my dream since I was a kid. I was dreaming about this club. We will see. I don’t want to talk about this every day. I don’t have time, but we will talk about my future soon. I think so. It is also when you have a dream and you want to make it happen.
“It is like I have said a lot of times, if I leave I will be happy. I know if I stay, I will be happy. It is not like if I go I am happy and if I stay that I am unhappy.”
Thibaut Courtois has become an outcast among the Chelsea fans after a number of press conferences has left them unhappy, but Hazard says he does not want to tarnish his reputation just like his close friend.
“I don’t want that,” he added. “I want what’s good for me, but I want what’s good for the club because the club has given me everything. I don’t want to say, ‘yes I am signing a new contract’, and then in the end I don’t end up signing. So, I will see.
“In my head, sometimes in my head I wake up in the morning and think I want to go. Sometimes I think I want to stay. It is a hard decision. It is my future. I am 27 and I will turn 28 in January.”
Hazard would land a new five-year contract in Chelsea on around £300,000 a week upon a contract renewal but he is still unsure if he will stay at the club.
“I don’t know,” when asked what it would take to convince him to stay. “I am happy and I don’t need anything. It is not trophies. Of course, when you play, you want to win, but I just want to enjoy things on the pitch, like I am at the moment. Then, I am happy.
“I could talk now. If they come to me, then I will talk. I don’t want to say that I am not talking (at all) with the club or the owner. I am talking a lot with them. So, we just need to find a good solution.”
Hazard has been involved in 12 goals in his last 11 appearances for Chelsea, scoring nine times and providing three assists.
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Hazard was asked whether he was tired with questions about his future but he answered in a calm way.
“No, this is part of journalism, you know,” he added. “It is better to talk about football but it is okay, no problem.”
