Transfer Centre

Maurizio Sarri: 'Club to make decision on wantaway trio'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 23 July 2018

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is "confident" that his side can keep hold of Willian, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, but concedes that he has no say in the matter.

Maurizio Sarri has stressed that he will not have the final say on whether wantaway trio Willian, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois remain at Chelsea.

Hazard and Courtois recently suggested that they would be open to a move to European champions Real Madrid, while Willian is a rumoured target for La Liga rivals Barcelona.

New boss Sarri has yet to discuss the speculation with any of the aforementioned players, and he concedes that the decision on who stays and who goes will be made by those above him.

"I like to talk to a person face to face," he told reporters after Chelsea's 1-0 friendly win over Perth Glory. "I don't like to talk to a person by telephone.

"It depends on the club. For me, it's a pleasure to have Courtois, Willian, to have Hazard, but it doesn't depend on me. We have to wait, I am confident."

Chelsea will reportedly turn to Manchester United's Anthony Martial if they lose one of Hazard or Willian in the next two-and-a-half weeks.