Chelsea Manager Maurizio Sarri Makes Assurances over Eden Hazard Future

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said there are no longer any concerns over Eden Hazard's Stamford Bridge future after the Belgian appeared in a pre-season friendly against Lyon on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a departure from west London, but Sarri said there is "no problem" now and made assurances Hazard will remain at the club, per the Press Association (h/t MailOnline): "We have spoken two or three times in the last two days. Hazard's problem is not present now."

Hazard replaced Willian in the 68th minute against Lyon in the International Champions Cup match at Stamford Bridge.

He took the captain's armband and scored the winning penalty after a 0-0 draw forced a shootout against the Ligue 1 club.

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Blues fans will now hope to see Hazard line up against Huddersfield Town when they kick off their 2018-19 Premier League campaign on Saturday.

The former Lille man only returned to Chelsea training on Monday following his exertions with Belgium at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

While Hazard has been on holiday, he has been regularly linked with a move to Real Madrid to act as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, per Marca's Santiago Siguero.

Sarri's comments will come as a big relief to all connected with Chelsea as Hazard is arguably the club's most important player.

There will still be concerns, though, that Real may come knocking as, while the Premier League's transfer window closes on Thursday, the rest of Europe can still make purchases until the end of August.