Transfer : Conte rejects talks of Hazard joining Barcelona

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has played down speculation linking Belgian forward Eden Hazard to Spanish giants Barcelona this summer as a potential replacement for Neymar, according to a report on ESPN.

The Italian manager has dismissed the reports and has confirmed that the 26-year-old Belgian will remain at Stamford Bridge.

Conte has revealed that Hazard is at the centre of his plans for the upcoming season and will be a key man for the Blues if they are to successfully defend their Premier League crown.

“I have read a lot of stories about Hazard to Real Madrid and now with Barcelona. This is the transfer market and we must understand this. I think Eden is very happy to stay with us and playing for Chelsea.”

Hazard is still recovering from ankle surgery and has not travelled with the Chelsea squad to Singapore for their pre-season tour as he looks to get back to match fitness.

The Belgian forward’s recovery is going well but the manager has revealed that it is difficult to give a date for when Hazard will be ready for first team action.

“It’s not easy to schedule an exact date to come back. The recovery is going very well and you know the importance of this player for us.”

Hazard was a key player for Conte last season and scored 16 goals in the Premier League on their way to the title in the Italian’s first season in charge of the Blues.
The club will not rush Hazard back into action as they want to ensure he is fully fit and don’t want the injury to occur again. - Read Sport