Eden Hazard ‘playing games with Chelsea fans’ hearts’ by revealing he’s decided on future… but refusing to state decision
The Belgium international is clear over his next move amid a delay over a new contract and links with Real Madrid
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EDEN HAZARD has dropped the strongest hint yet that he will leave Chelsea at the end of the season.
The Belgium international has less than 18 months remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge, with an extension not yet agreed.
Real Madrid have been linked with a £100million move for the 28-year-old amid the uncertainty.
Speaking to French radio station , Hazard said: "I know what I am going to do. I have made a decision."
Mixed messages have dominated the dialogue regarding a new contract for Hazard.
Last year reports had suggested he had alerted individuals within Stamford Bridge that he would remain on a long-term basis.
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That speculation was substantiated when Hazard declared he wanted to become a Chelsea legend.
However, in the wake of those comments he said talks over a new deal would be delayed until the end of the season.
Furthermore, the scheduled arrival of Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund for £57million in the summer and retention of Callum Hudson-Odoi suggests the club are preparing for life after the Belgian.
Chelsea also turned down an offer from Barcelona for Willian, which included Malcom moving from the Nou Camp.
Having failed to replace Cristiano Ronaldo last summer and struggled as a result, Real are set to embark on a mass overhaul at the end of the season.
Hazard has been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu for several years but that move appears close to becoming a reality, with a £14.5m-a-year contract reportedly having been agreed.
Manager Maurizio Sarri has urged Hazard to leave the club if he is unwilling to sign a new contract.
The Italian said: "Eden is 28. If he wants to go, I think he has to go.
"Of course, I hope the opposite, I hope he wants to stay here.
"He has the potential to be the best player in Europe at the moment."
Though Hazard man did not expand on his comments, many Chelsea fans can see the writing on the wall.
Reddit user GSHFC wrote: "Assume he’s gone then. If he was going to re-sign and he’s made his mind up he’d have done it by now."
Kaasdipje added: ";Hey Google, play "Quit playing games with my heart" by the backstreet boys."
Others however are more optimistic, and believe the interview alludes to the imminent announcement of a new contract.
A hopeful Fabregasismagic stated: "If he truly wanted to leave would he not just tell the media he’s still undecided and then hand in a transfer request at the end of the season?";
Exacerbated supporter xand711 added: "Stay or go I’m sick of the dicking around. We really let Eden get away with this stuff because he’s the best player in the league."
Hazard has a history of issuing teasing messages into the public domain.
Before complete his move to Chelsea from Lille in 2012 he took to Twitter to say he had "made up his mind" over his future.
And just hours later he announced he was "signing for the champion's league winner" - a trophy the Blues had scooped nine days earlier.
In 331 appearances for Chelsea across six-and-a-half years he has scored 104 goals and contributed 85 assists.