Maurizio Sarri has urged the Chelsea hierarchy to “solve the problem” of Eden Hazard’s future.
Hazard is out of contract in 2020 and confirmed earlier this week he will not make any decision on his long-term future until the summer, with Real Madrid waiting in the wings to snare the Belgium international.
Hazard has had a direct hand in 19 Premier League goals this season, more than anyone else, and reached a landmark with his 100th and 101st strikes for Chelsea in a 2-1 win over Watford on Boxing Day.
The 27-year-old’s importance to the Blues has only grown since Sarri moved him to a central role to solve the problem of Chelsea’s indifferent strikers and the Blues head coach is eager for a decision to be made before Hazard’s self-imposed date.
Asked whether he expects Hazard to stay at Stamford Bridge long-term, Sarri replied: “I don't know but I think that it's time to decide.”
He added: “I think that we have to solve the problem. If he wants to program the future, we have to solve this problem.”
Chelsea have indicated they are prepared to make Hazard, who currently earns £200,000-a-week, their highest paid player with a five-year deal worth at least an extra £100,000 a week.
However it will be up to director Marina Granovskaia, and not Sarri, to ensure Hazard puts pen to paper.
“I have not the power to do this,” Sarri said. “I am the coach. I am not the president I am not in charge of the market, I am the coach.
“I want to speak to him only about the position on the pitch.”
