Eden Hazard hopes to play alongside Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea

Lukaku. Hazard - Belgium
Lukaku. Hazard - Belgium

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard’s future has been speculated heavily in the media for the best part of last season, with La Liga giants Real Madrid thought to be one of the interested clubs vying for his signature.

Hazard did very little to quell such rumours, inviting fresh speculations almost on a regular basis leaving the fans in constant fear that he might leave Chelsea, following the club’s disappointing 2015/16 campaign.

However, it seems Hazard is focussed on staying with the London giants but at the same time wants to play alongside the best players in the world at Chelsea next season. Frankly, who doesn’t?

Currently playing with his national team, Belgium, at Euro 2016, Hazard has reiterated his decision to stay at the club and hopes the new manager Antonio Conte can attract top players from across the world.

Although Hazard refused to be drawn on speculation linking Romelu Lukaku with a return to his former club, he says he is keen to link up with his national teammate, whom he considers one of the best in the world.

When specifically asked to comment on Lukaku’s chances of joining the Blues, he told Sky Sports News HQ: “I don’t know, I don’t want to talk about this. But Romelu is a big striker, he’s a good guy and a good friend of mine.

“It’s always good to play with the best in the world.”

Lukaku admitted in May that he wanted to leave Everton to further his career and has been linked with a return to Chelsea.

Premier League giants Manchester United could also be an attractive destination for him. The Red Devils were keen on signing Lukaku last year but decided against bidding for the 23-year-old. The Everton striker has even revealed he would be open to reuniting with the current United manager Jose Mourinho, who sold him to Everton in 2014.

His agent Mino Raiola, however, has hinted that Lukaku could be persuaded to stay at Everton. In any case, it won’t be  an easy task to prise him away from Goodison Park, with Everton would be demanding around £65m for their star striker.

Lukaku received a fair bit of criticism for his lacklustre display against Italy in Belgium’s opening match, but he hinted of returning to some kind of form with a finely taken brace against Ireland in the last match, which will have done his confidence the world of good.

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