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Chelsea's Eden Hazard hints at exit: 'It might be time to discover something different'

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has hinted he may look to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, telling reporters, "it might be time to discover something different" after Belgium's 2-0 victory over England in the World Cup's third-place game on Saturday.

The 27-year-old scored a goal to help give his country their best-ever finish at a World Cup tournament and afterward threw his club future in doubt.

"After six wonderful years at Chelsea, it might be time to discover something different," Hazard said.


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"Certainly after this World Cup, I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will make the final decision -- if they want to let me go. You know my preferred destination."

Hazard, who has spent six years at Stamford Bridge, has been the subject of a proposed £150 million bid from Real Madrid, according to recent reports, with Los Blancos said to have identified the Chelsea man as the primary candidate to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who left for Juventus this week,

Hazard's declaration comes hours after Chelsea completed the long-expected hiring of former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri as their new manager, appointing him to take over for the departed Antonio Conte.

The former Lille star joined Chelsea for £31.5m in 2012 and has helped the club to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup crown in his six seasons.