Both Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri and star forward Eden Hazard discussed their futures with the club today, following the Blues’ goalless draw at Leicester City.
While neither man was able to give a definitive answer about his future at Stamford Bridge, conventional wisdom seems to hold that Sarri will return whilst Hazard will not. Eden Hazard to Real Madrid is a narrative that arrives every summer transfer window- you can just about set your watch to it. It’s being widely reported that this is the summer it finally happens.
However, it appears that CFC have yet to officially sign off on it.
“Yes I have made my decision, but it is not just about me,” the Belgian said on the subject of his club future. “I’m still waiting.”
He was then asked if he has told the club about his decision, to which the Premier League Playmaker of the Year replied: “Yes. A couple of weeks ago.”
It sounds like he has one foot out the door, but if Chelsea do let him go, replacing him could be difficult, if not impossible due to the looming transfer ban.
As for Sarri, he endured a roller coaster of a season, in which rumors of his sacking often ran rampant. There were plenty of moments when supporters were singing songs openly calling for his dismissal.
However, he steadied the ship, and guided the team to a third place finish, and with it a return to Champions League. He also took Chelsea to the EFL Cup Final, where they lost on penalty kicks to Manchester City.
Additionally, they have a chance at trophy when they play Arsenal in the Europa League final later this month. With a UCL berth already secure, his job should be secure as that was the goal for this season.
“I think but I am not sure,” Sarri said when asked if he would still have his gig next season. “I don’t know. I can say only that the club asked me to get into the Champions League, and we reached that target.
“I can say only this. As you know very well, I love English football. I love the Premier League, the level is really the best in the world I think, the atmosphere in the stadiums is wonderful.”
He also added that he has a strong desire to remain in charge: “I [would] like very much to stay here.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets:Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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