Sarri Confident Of Hazard And Loftus-Cheek Stay

Maurizio Sarri is confident Eden Hazard will stay with Chelsea this season and expects to resolve Ruben Loftus-Cheek's future in December.

With the European transfer window not closing until August 31, Hazard has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid.

The European champions have already brought goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois over from Chelsea, but Sarri was able to recruit Kepa Arrizabalaga for a world-record £71.6m before the Premier League window closed.

With Chelsea unable to replace Hazard, Sarri confirmed he expects the Belgian to remain at Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the campaign, and added that the playmaker is in line to start at Newcastle on Sunday.

Chelsea blocked Crystal Palace's attempts to bring Loftus-Cheek back on loan earlier this August, while Schalke are not interested in signing the 22-year-old, contrary to reports.

Sarri added: "I have spoken with him twice this week, after I spoke with the club. I think Loftus will remain with us, we can speak again about his situation, but I think only in December."