Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said that the Blues must act on the contract situation of Eden Hazard in the near future amid the constant speculation linking him with Real Madrid. The Belgium international has openly admitted his ambition of playing for the European champions over the past year and this has increased speculation regarding his future with his Blues contract expiring in 18 months’ time.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Sarri stressed that the club must solve the Belgian’s contract saga in the forthcoming months, although he has no power on his side to influence the attacker’s decision, he said:"I think we have to solve the problem. If we want to plan the future, we have to solve this problem.I don't know [what Hazard is thinking], but I think that it's time to decide. I have not the power to do this. "I am the coach. I want to speak to him only about the position on the pitch."

“Hazard had been widely tipped to join the European champions during the summer after Cristiano Ronaldo parted ways with Los Blancos to make the shock move to Juventus“. However, an offer never really came about from the Madrid giants “while the attacker himself“ had no option but to stay with the Blues’ hierarchy making it clear that they won’t listen to offers.

Since then, the Belgian has excelled under the guidance of Sarri with 12 goals and nine assists across all competitions but it has now come to the point that the manager wants a quick resolution regarding the attacker’s future with the club. Hazard has so far turned down the chance to sign a contract renewal but that could change by the end of the season, should the west London side manage to qualify for next season’s Champions League.