Eden Hazard wants to stay at Chelsea for years - 'it would be silly to change'
Belgian has also dreamed about lifting the Champions League
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Your support makes all the difference.Eden Hazard is so happy at Chelsea he has set his sights on staying at the club for another decade.
In an exclusive interview with the Evening Standard, the 24-year-old insists not even rough treatment from opponents will drive him away from the English game.
The Belgium international lifted the Premier League trophy on Sunday after a stellar campaign in which Chelsea also won the Capital One Cup and he was named both the PFA and FWA Footballer of the Year.
In February Chelsea handed him a new contract until 2020, however, it is understood the hierarchy have already expressed a desire to keep him for at least another 10 years.
Asked if he could see himself playing for Chelsea for that long, he said: “Why change? If you’re happy and things are going really well at one place, there is no need to change.
“Obviously, these things don’t just depend on me but whenever you’re enjoying your football and having the chance to win trophies, it would be silly to change.”
Hazard was the most fouled player in the Premier League this season and manager Jose Mourinho fears he could eventually decide to leave if he does not get more protection from referees.
But Hazard said: “Maybe I need more of that [protection] but it is the special thing about English football, it’s what makes it different.
“Over here people like a scrap, like a battle. I will just keep playing the way I do. I will try and entertain the fans, create assists, score goals and concentrate on that regardless. I can still take the hits, it’s not a problem for me. I accept the blows. I can take the punches like a boxer.”
Hazard joined Chelsea from Lille for £32million in 2012 less than a month after they won the Champions League and he is desperate to help the club triumph in Europe again.
Mourinho’s side reached the semi-finals last year but were knocked out by Paris St Germain in the last 16 this season.
Hazard is regularly compared to superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have both won the trophy multiple times.
“The Champions League is the one thing missing from my career,” said Hazard.
“When I look at the history of the competition and the people that have taken part, the top, top players have all won it. For many it is why they have been regarded as top players.
“So if I want to be considered in that upper, upper level of top players I need to win the Champions League at some point. Obviously it is not easy, it is a tough tournament to go all the way to win. But it is something as a club I think we can do and we have to always dream of.
“I have imagined that feeling of what it would be like to lift the trophy. Let’s hope we get a chance to do it.”
Mourinho has been promised the funds to strengthen the squad with another three to four signings in the summer.
Hazard added: “It is hard to challenge for four trophies in one season. Every year we go into the season hoping to win the Champions League and will do the same next season.
“We will welcome any new players that arrive this summer, like we always do. Any strengthening of the squad, in a League and Champions League which demands so much, is a good thing because you need many top quality players.”
Meanwhile, Roberto Di Matteo, who led Chelsea to their Champions League success, today quit as manager of Schalke after just seven months.
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