New Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri is hopeful that his club can keep hold of a majority of their star players this summer, despite talk of some big-money exits.
Belgium internationals Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard continue to be linked with interest from Real Madrid, while Barcelona are reported to be keeping tabs on Brazil midfielder Willian.
Clearly we would always like to keep all the strongest players.
Maurizio Sarri
However, Sarri is eager to try and keep his Stamford Bridge squad largely intact, making particular reference to forward Hazard as a player who he thinks he can improve even further.
He told reporters: "Hazard is a very high-profile players, one of the top two or three in Europe. I hope to improve him, which is difficult as he has already reached a very high level."
Of the overall situation with the Blues and possible exits before the new season gets under way next month, the Italian added: "Clearly we would always like to keep all the strongest players. This is what any manager wants to do, this is what any club wants to do.
"But then we will have to see how the transfer market will go over the next few days.
"I don't want to talk about the transfer market and I am not that interested in it. I think our task as managers is growing the players that we have."
Sarri has succeeded compatriot Antonio Conte in the Stamford Bridge hotseat, with the Blues having finished down in fifth place in the Premier League last season and missed out on Champions League football for the upcoming campaign.
Chelsea are available at 14/1 to win the Premier League title next season, while they are 4/6 to finish in the top four and 7/1 to win the Europa League.
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New Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri is hopeful that his club can keep hold of a majority of their star players this summer, despite talk of some big-money exits.
Belgium internationals Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard continue to be linked with interest from Real Madrid, while Barcelona are reported to be keeping tabs on Brazil midfielder Willian.
Clearly we would always like to keep all the strongest players.
Maurizio Sarri
However, Sarri is eager to try and keep his Stamford Bridge squad largely intact, making particular reference to forward Hazard as a player who he thinks he can improve even further.
He told reporters: "Hazard is a very high-profile players, one of the top two or three in Europe. I hope to improve him, which is difficult as he has already reached a very high level."
Of the overall situation with the Blues and possible exits before the new season gets under way next month, the Italian added: "Clearly we would always like to keep all the strongest players. This is what any manager wants to do, this is what any club wants to do.
"But then we will have to see how the transfer market will go over the next few days.
"I don't want to talk about the transfer market and I am not that interested in it. I think our task as managers is growing the players that we have."
Sarri has succeeded compatriot Antonio Conte in the Stamford Bridge hotseat, with the Blues having finished down in fifth place in the Premier League last season and missed out on Champions League football for the upcoming campaign.
Chelsea are available at 14/1 to win the Premier League title next season, while they are 4/6 to finish in the top four and 7/1 to win the Europa League.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com