Eden Hazard has ruled out leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid this month but is in no rush to rekindle contract talks with the west London outfit.
The Belgium international has been heavily linked with a move to Madrid this summer and even hinted after the 2018 World Cup that it was time to leave Chelsea.
Madrid failed to get anywhere near Chelsea’s £200m valuation before the transfer window for English clubs shut earlier this month.
The European champions are still free to make new signings until the end of August but Chelsea can no longer replace Hazard until the January transfer window.
Hazard, who has two years left to run on his current Chelsea deal, has ended speculation of a move to Madrid this month by insisting he is happy at Stamford Bridge.
“Everybody knows what I have said after the World Cup [about potentially leaving]. But I’m happy here,” he told RMC Sport, via The Guardian. “A lot has been said. A lot of stupidity too.
“But at the moment I’m happy. I have two years left on my contract and we’ll see what happens. Leaving this year? I won’t go.
“The transfer market in England is closed. Clubs can still sell players, but not sign new ones anymore. It would be a bit strange that they would sell me now while they can’t sign a replacement.”
Hazard has been eased back into club football by new manager Maurizio Sarri this season but the 27-year-old has still made a telling contribution in two substitute appearances.
Despite being limited to 43 minutes of playing time in Chelsea’s opening two matches, Hazard has provided two assists and completed six of the seven dribbles he has attempted, one every 7.2 minutes of action.
