Chelsea transfer news: Club drop hint on Eden Hazard’s future at new away kit launch

Chelsea have seemingly suggested that Eden Hazard is likely to stay at Stamford Bridge this season after heavily featuring him in the launch of their new away kit.

The Stamford Bridge side will cease to be ‘the Blues’ and become ‘the Yellows’ when playing away from home this season after revealing the modern twist on their classic kit from the 1998/00 season.

And Hazard, fresh from being named the second-best player at the World Cup 2018 summer is one of the main models used.

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Following the tournament in Russia, the 27-year-old suggested his time at Chelsea may be up after six years at the club, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping tabs on him following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus this month.

Speaking after Belgium beat England to win the third-place play-off, Hazard said: “After six wonderful years at Chelsea it might be time to discover something different. Certainly after this World Cup.

“I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will make the final decision – if they want me to go. You know my preferred destination.”

Chelsea’s decision to use him in their kit launch may seem like an admission he will stay at the club, but, given the Belgian is currently on holiday, it is extremely likely these pictures were taken prior to his comments about leaving the club.

New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was asked about Hazard’s future at his unveiling earlier this week but insisted he was in no rush to get in contact with the player about his situation.

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“Clearly the players you are referring to [Hazard and Thibaut Courtois] are very high-level players and I would like to keep them,” Sarri said on Wednesday. “But a telephone call without looking them in the eye will not give me any certainty.

“I would like to meet these players face to face and talk to them and understand what the best thing is for everyone to do. Before that I would also like a player to come on the pitch for four or five days with me to have a clear idea of what the plan is.”