Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has revealed that Eden Hazard will not be involved in his side's upcoming game against Greece outfit PAOK. The Italian manager confirmed that the 27-year-old picked up an ankle injury in the Blues' 3-0 defeat at Wembley to Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.
Eden Hazard has failed to replicate his superb start this season in recent games despite registering eight goals and four assists for Chelsea across all competitions so far. Ahead of Thursday's encounter with PAOK, the Blues' stalwart's presence will not be missed that much with his side already sitting atop Group L with 12 points – six points adrift second-placed Vidi FC.
However, Maurizio Sarri - who maintains that he is not overly concerned about Hazard's form - expects him to be available for the weekend's Premier League clash with Fulham.
"He [Hazard] will not be able to play tomorrow, but I think we'll be able to recover him for the next Premier League match (against Fulham on Sunday)," Sarri told a news conference on Wednesday.
"I am worried because 25 days ago he had a back injury. Now an ankle. He has lost a lot of training. It's normal at the moment he isn't at the top of his physical condition.
"I want to see a reaction, but I want also to see a reaction in the next Premier League match (on Sunday against Fulham). I want to see we learned our lessons."
Earlier in the week, Hazard hinted at a potential exit from Chelsea with his contract having a year left on it.
"In January, I will still have a year left on my contract," he said in an interview with Canal+.
"But if I don't renew, a transfer is possible.
"Next summer is a possibility, but also I could end up spending the rest of my career at Chelsea.
"I don't see myself leaving Chelsea in January.
"I wouldn't do that to the club or the fans."
