Eden Hazard Hints He Will Consider Chelsea Future After the Season

Eden Hazard has hinted he will take stock of his future at Chelsea after this Premier League season.

The dynamic No. 10, who continues to be linked with La Liga giants Real Madrid, told Sporza (h/t Football.London's Oliver Harbord): "I only think about Chelsea now. The competition lasts seven to eight months, after which I see what happens."

Those words could encourage action from Los Blancos next summer. The Belgian described in October how he has been "dreaming" of moving to Real since childhood.

Hazard may be content to cast doubt on his future at Stamford Bridge, but the Belgium international has been excelling this season. He's been in on eight goals and four assists in all competitions.

The 27-year-old, whose Chelsea contract expires in the summer of 2020, is earning rave reviews for his recent performances:

Much of Hazard's form can be attributed to the arrival of Maurizio Sarri. The former Napoli boss replaced Antonio Conte as manager in the summer, and Hazard has been suitably impressed: "The coach has the same football philosophy as I. He always thinks of the ball. How we as players think about football, that is also his way of thinking."

Hazard may be enjoying life under Sarri, but the lure of moving to the Spanish capital isn't going away. There's also no doubt Real could use a versatile forward with Hazard's match-winning skills.

The former Lille star can play on both wings and is also effective through the middle. His trickery, eye for a pass and scoring touch would help Los Merengues finally offset the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was surprisingly not replaced after being sold to Serie A powerhouse Juventus during the summer.

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Ironically, there are similarities between Hazard's desire to join Real and the decision Ronaldo faced as a member of Manchester United back in 2009. That's the view of ex-Red Devils defender Wes Brown, who told Adam Powers of the Daily Express last month how Ronaldo was always clear about his ambition to play for Real—the same way Hazard has been.

Brown doesn't view Hazard expressing his dream as disrespectful to Chelsea, but there is no doubt the Blues will remain nervous the longer their attacking talisman goes without signing a new contract, especially after Hazard's latest comments.