Chelsea will do 'what we have to do' to convince Eden Hazard to stay, says chairman Bruce Buck

Belgian forward is undoubtedly the club's best player but his interest in a move to Real Madrid, and his expiring contract, means his future is uncertain

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Chairman Bruce Buck has said Chelsea will do everything they possibly can to get Eden Hazard to commit his future to the club.

Hazard, 27, has established himself as Chelsea's best player in recent years, and the Belgian forward has started the current season in scintillating form - leading the Premier League scoring charts with seven goals to help his side to an unbeaten start and second in the table, behind Manchester City on goal difference.

However, Hazard has entered the final two years of his contract and he has spoken publicly about his dilemma between signing a new, long-term deal or pursuing his "dream" move to Real Madrid.

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Chelsea chairman Buck was asked about the situation regarding Hazard while in Doha for the Financial Times future of football event, and the American has said the club are determined to keep the Belgium international.

"Every Chelsea fan in London and around the world loves Eden Hazard, and he's not only a great footballer but I think he's a wonderful lad," Buck said.

“We want him to stay and we will do what we have to do to entice him to stay.”

Chelsea will hope to resolve the situation sooner rather than later as next summer would represent the last chance to sell Hazard if he decides to leave the club, or risk losing him for free in 2020.

“Let's see how it goes between now and the end of the season,” Buck said when this quandary was put forward to him.

Chelsea and their fans can at least be sure that Hazard will remain at the club for the duration of this season after he explicitly said he would not seek an exit in January.

Hazard joined Chelsea from French side Lille in 2012 for a reported £32 million (Dh154.4m) and has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and the 2013 Europa League.