Cesar Azpilicueta has urged Chelsea players to respect Eden Hazard’s decision to join Real Madrid in the summer.
Madrid are said to have agreed a €100 million deal with the Blues for the Belgian playmaker and the signing could be made official after the Europa League final.
Hazard has been a long-time target for the La Liga giants, with the club set to undergo a major overhaul in the summer after enduring a difficult 2018/19 campaign that saw them go without a trophy.
Reports in the UK contend Hazard has already informed Chelsea about his decision to leave in the summer as he seeks to play under Zinedine Zidane.
His team-mates also seem to be fully alive to the fact that Hazard’s imminent departure to Santiago Bernabeu has drawn nigh, with Azpilicueta acknowledging he would love to see the 28-year-old remain at Stamford Bridge.
“Obviously Eden is a very important player for us,” the Chelsea vice-captain told Sky Sports.
“We arrived here at the same time and obviously we want him to stay with us – but we have to respect his decision,” he added.
