Chelsea players call for Hazard stay

Ruben Loftus-Cheek led calls from Chelsea players asking Eden Hazard to stay after his penalty sealed their place in the Europa League final.

Hazard is out of contract at the end of next season and is wanted by Real Madrid – a club he has dreamed of playing for since he was a child, coached by his “idol” Zinedine Zidane.

Chelsea, at this moment, cannot sign players for the next two transfer windows, depending on the outcome of their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and they will hope he stays if the ban is upheld.

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Hazard stepped up for Chelsea again on Thursday night, scoring the winning penalty against Frankfurt to set up an all-English Europa League final with Arsenal and he was the subject of praise after the game.

“I’m sure everyone here – and us players – would love him to stay and be a Chelsea player until he finishes his career,” Loftus-Cheek said after he scored in the 1-1 draw on Thursday night.

“But who knows what he’s thinking. Over the last seven, eight years he’s been fantastic – the trophies he has helped us win. Whatever decision he makes we will respect it.”

Chelsea winger Willian, added: “For me I hope he stays, but in football you never know. I think his head is here, to play for Chelsea.

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“Then after he’s finished the season maybe he can talk about his situation. I don’t know anything about him leaving so for me I hope he can stay.

“He’s very important, a special player, he’s very important for us, he helps us a lot.

“And he’s one of the best players in the world.”