Eden Hazard Will 'Not Think' About Chelsea Future Until After 2018 World Cup

Belgium's 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign will take priority over a decision on his Chelsea future for Eden Hazard, who has said he isn't thinking about his position at Stamford Bridge for the time being. 

The Blues winger allayed fears he will leave the club this summer by saying he's "very happy" in west London and has a list of targets to check off before switching attention to contract talks, per MailOnline's Matt Barlow:

"I am going to finish the Premier League competition first and then play the World Cup, and then I will leave on holiday. Then we will see what happens next. I do not think about it yet.

"I have another two years contract with Chelsea where I am very happy."

The 2018 World Cup will run from June 14 to July 15, at which point there will be less than a month until the Premier League's transfer window shuts on August 9, as opposed to its usual closing on August 31.

Hazard's contract isn't due to expire until the summer of 2020, but that's soon enough for the speculation linking him with the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain to have spiked in recent months.

Rumours of a Stamford Bridge exit have intensified, particularly since Chelsea's form tailed off around the beginning of 2018—they have won only five of their 18 matches played this year inside the 90 minutes.

The title defence of head coach Antonio Conte's team has ended as a result of that dip, and former Blues defender William Gallas said a club like Real would take Hazard should they desire his signature strongly enough, per Goal:

Hazard bears a heavy burden as arguably the most talented star at Stamford Bridge, which has led to Conte experimenting with the winger as a false nine through the middle during Alvaro Morata's recent struggle for form.

The change in tactics hasn't been a successful one, and Belgium boss Roberto Martinez indicated Hazard would return to his natural wing role when travelling to Russia this summer, per The Independent:

Belgium will be viewed as serious contenders for this year's World Cup, with a great chance of topping Group G ahead of England, Tunisia and surprise CONCACAF qualifiers Panama.

Hazard has scored six goals in his last eight Premier League outings—winning three of those—all while playing in his improvised central role, and he recently said he doesn't mind where he plays, per Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur:

The former Lille star signed his current Chelsea deal in February 2015, since when the club have won two Premier League titles but also been through low phases under Conte and predecessor Jose Mourinho.

Conte's position is likely to have a big impact on whether numerous players see a long-term future at Chelsea, and Hazard's World Cup in Russia will serve as a happy distraction from any uncertainty at club level.