Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri tells Eden Hazard he does not need to join Real Madrid to win Ballon d’Or

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has told Eden Hazard that he doesn't need to join Real Madrid to win the Ballon d'Or.

Hazard admitted earlier this month that he is still dreaming of a move to Real Madrid and one of the reasons why is because he has yet to be awarded the Ballon d'Or - the award for the world's best player - in his career.

Chelsea plan to sit down with the Belgium international to discuss a new long-term contract before Christmas.

And Sarri hopes Hazard will understand that he can realise all his ambitions at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "He's a fantastic player. It will be important for us if he remains with us. Very, very important.

"But I think also that he can win everything, possibly a Ballon d'Or, here. Without playing in Spain.

"Because, for example, Chelsea will be able to win the Champions League (in the future). Belgium could win the European Championship. He could win everything, without playing in Spain.”

Chelsea made it clear to Real Madrid in the summer that the Belgium international was not for sale.

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon accused the Blues this week of treating Hazard like a slave by doing their utmost to keep the Belgium international.

But Sarri laughed the claim off, adding: “I don't know what to say. I don't think he is (being kept here like a slave). In the last three months, I have seen him always very happy. So I don't think so. It's nothing.”

Meanwhile, Sarri has dismissed the complaints of Andreas Christensen's father and agent Sten.

The defender has started just three games this season and Sten Christensen has warned the 22-year-old will leave in January if he doesn't play more.

But Sarri said: “The father? I'm not interested... the father? No. What can I say?

"I think that, in the first part of the season, David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger have played really very well, so it's not easy to change.

"I think, also, that in our last six matches, Christensen has played in three of them. He (Andreas) is very young. I think he has to improve. 'But I think that he's a technical defender, so I think he is suitable for me and my way of football. I think that, in the future, he will be available to play very often.”

Sarri also claims he is delighted with striker Alvaro Morata amid reports he wants to buy a replacement.

Morata has scored just three goals this season, but when asked about the story linking the Spaniard with the exit, Sarri said: “I think that they don't know me very well.

"I am not able to think on the market at the moment. I am completely focused on my team, and improving my players.

"In the last month, I think Morata has played better. In the last three days I have seen him very well in training, very very well.”