'I cannot control the will of the player' - Chelsea boss on Eden Hazard's future
Conte is desperate to keep Hazard, who has been instrumental in Chelsea's charge to the top of the Premier League with 15 league goals and five assists.
His form, according to the Italian, has carried him to the cusp of the level reached by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash at Everton, Conte added: 'He's a great player. This season, he has improved a lot, not only on the pitch but also he's becoming mentally stronger.
'At this level it's very important to try to have this step because it brings you up to the best players in the world. Eden is starting to take this step.'
Antonio Conte has admitted he can offer no guarantees that Eden Hazard will stay at Chelsea, saying the 'will of the player' could be a vital factor in whether he joins Real Madrid.
Chelsea will fight hard this summer to keep the Belgium forward, who revealed this week that talks over improving his contract will not start until this campaign has finished.
He is already the club's top earner on £200,000 a week, with that deal due to expire in 2020, and Chelsea's next move will be key considering the interest from Madrid.
Hazard is relaxed about the situation and is not pushing for a move, but Conte is braced for an approach from Real, which would likely have to be in excess of the £89million world record fee that Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba to stand any chance of being accepted.
When asked if he could offer any guarantee about Hazard staying, Conte said: 'It's impossible for me to take this responsibility, not only for Eden but for every single player. I can say my opinion, but the club has the final word.
'I don't think that this idea is in the mind of the club. We have to improve the team, to reinforce the team. But in football there is also the will of the player. I think Eden is very happy to stay at Chelsea, to stay with us and work with us. I can tell this.
'But I haven't got a crystal ball. You must understand that there are different wills to compare, and then to take the decision.'
His form, according to the Italian, has carried him to the cusp of the level reached by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's clash at Everton, Conte added: 'He's a great player. This season, he has improved a lot, not only on the pitch but also he's becoming mentally stronger.
'At this level it's very important to try to have this step because it brings you up to the best players in the world. Eden is starting to take this step.'
Antonio Conte has admitted he can offer no guarantees that Eden Hazard will stay at Chelsea, saying the 'will of the player' could be a vital factor in whether he joins Real Madrid.
Chelsea will fight hard this summer to keep the Belgium forward, who revealed this week that talks over improving his contract will not start until this campaign has finished.
He is already the club's top earner on £200,000 a week, with that deal due to expire in 2020, and Chelsea's next move will be key considering the interest from Madrid.
Hazard is relaxed about the situation and is not pushing for a move, but Conte is braced for an approach from Real, which would likely have to be in excess of the £89million world record fee that Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba to stand any chance of being accepted.
When asked if he could offer any guarantee about Hazard staying, Conte said: 'It's impossible for me to take this responsibility, not only for Eden but for every single player. I can say my opinion, but the club has the final word.
'I don't think that this idea is in the mind of the club. We have to improve the team, to reinforce the team. But in football there is also the will of the player. I think Eden is very happy to stay at Chelsea, to stay with us and work with us. I can tell this.
'But I haven't got a crystal ball. You must understand that there are different wills to compare, and then to take the decision.'
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