Eden Hazard is a crucial player for Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Former Chelsea defender Graeme Le Saux has warned his old club that they will have to be ready to cope with Eden Hazard being the subject of transfer speculation as long as he continues to perform at the peak of his powers.

The Belgium international put in a superb display as Chelsea earned a hugely impressive away win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League this week, and is starting to get back to his best after missing the start of the season through injury.

Hazard has long been regarded as one of the best players in Europe on his day, and has attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the past.

Chelsea will be desperate to keep hold of their star forward, with a new contract reported for several months now to be on the agenda, though seemingly without much progress.

Hazard, 26, has been linked with some big names in the past (Picture: Getty)

Le Saux believes the Blues must be wary that the likes of Real are not going to go away, and it’s up to them to make sure Hazard is happy with life at Stamford Bridge.

‘I think you just have to resign yourself as a club that there’ll always be suitors out there,’ Le Saux told the Daily Express.

‘Especially when you have players playing at the highest level.

‘You can never be so presumptuous that you think players will stay at a club for a long period of time as it’s only natural for them to feel like they want to try something new.

‘Chelsea will need to make sure Hazard is in the spotlight and, as he’s still young, they have a real opportunity to do so.’

Hazard is not a player Chelsea would want to sell for any price (Picture: Getty)

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The former England left-back added, however, that he believes there’s reason to be optimistic that Antonio Conte can keep hold of Hazard due to their strong relationship.

The 26-year-old winger recently spoke of how much the Italian improved him as a player, and Le Saux says that could count for a lot in determining his future.

‘It interested me that he came out and said that Antonio Conte made him better in ‘just a week’.

‘It was likely a slight dig at previous management but it does show they have a strong relationship and that counts for so much.’

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