Chelsea boss Antonio Conte addresses Eden Hazard and John Terry exit talk

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has accused Real Madrid of trying to get into the head of Eden Hazard.

The Belgian is being heavily linked with a summer transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu after a superb season in the Premier League.

Hazard has been one of Chelsea’s leading lights this term as he has helped fire the Blues to the verge of lifting the title with just 10 games remaining.

Real head coach Zinedine Zidane has previously stated his admiration for the player and Hazard has admitted the Frenchman was his idol as a youngster.

But reports on Friday lunchtime suggested the talented playmaker could be handed a lucrative new contract to ward off the interest from the LaLiga giants.

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Conte, who confirmed Hazard would be back in the squad to face Crystal Palace this weekend, would not reveal whether a new deal was on the table.

However, he took a swipe at the tactics employed by the Spanish club as the 26-year-old considers his next move.

“I think this is a part of the play,” Conte said of Madrid’s public pursuit of Hazard. “Others try these rumours to try to put a bit of difficulty in the mind of the players.

“We have the experience, it is logical at this part of the season. I am happy because it means that we are doing a good job.

“I don’t see any problem about our players, a great club with ambition with a great things to do in the future.

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“But also in the present, there are ten games to play and we hope to finish the season with a great success for us and the fans.

“Now we stay already in a great club, ambition and we want to win something important in the present and the future.

“I think we have just started our path.”

John Terry is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and rumours are swirling that the captain could join Hazard in penning fresh terms in London.

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“For every situation there will be the right moment to face,” Conte added reluctantly of his skipper’s dwindling contract situation.

“The club is working very well to solve many situations that we have to face.

“I like to talk about John for this season, he has helped me a lot.

“He is doing a great job. John knows my thoughts about him – the most important thing is this.”