It is easy to understand each other- Eden Hazard on Maurizio Sarri

The former Lille star refused to respond to questions regarding his potential move to Madrid.

Amidst strong links with Real Madrid, Chelsea star Eden Hazard backed manager Maurizio Sarri and his philosophy. Sarri’s style of football, ‘Sarriball’ as the fans prefer to call it, has been criticised by many since the past couple of months and yet, Hazard insists that both, him and his boss, think about football in the same way.

“It's easy to understand each other,” says the 28-year-old.

The Belgium international has been an exceptional player for the Blues since the past few seasons and is only getting better by the day. He scored an excellent brace against West Ham last weekend which included a wondrous solo effort as he slalomed past the Hammers’ defence line before calmly slotting the ball into the net.

The midfielder’s goals also took his overall tally to 19 this season which suggests it is his joint best ever in a single Premier League campaign. “Statistically it's my best season, and I like to say that because the way he's [Sarri] thinking is the same way I think football,”said Hazard as he spoke to Football Focus.

“Sometimes we have lost but, at the end, the way he wants to play is the way I want Chelsea to play,” he added, “I think he is a fantastic manager.”

“He came here with his own ideas to play football and I think we have done quite well. It's not simple to play the football he wants to play but I think now we have started to understand.”

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“We are working a lot because this manager is different to Conte, he's different to Mourinho.”

Chelsea, who are currently placed third in the table having played a game more, are fighting for a top four spot against Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United. Moreover, the Blues have a lot to prove this season after missing out on Champions League qualification last season.

“The only solution is to finish in the top four or win the Europa League,” continued Hazard.

“It's not just about me - the club has to be in the Champions League. We missed the Champions League this season so for the fans, the board, the players and staff, this club has to be in the Champions League every year. It's our challenge and we can do it.”

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“It's hard because [Manchester] City and Liverpool are better than Chelsea, but we are Chelsea - the past 10 years we won a lot of trophies. It's just about mentality. If we want to win something we can do it,” he added at the end.

The Blues next travel to Anfield for a showdown against Liverpool at the weekend after returning home with a 1-0 win against Slavia Praha in the Europa League.