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Willian hoping Hazard stays amid Madrid links

Chelsea star Eden Hazard

Willian does not know what the future holds for Real Madrid target Eden Hazard but he hopes the Chelsea star remains at Stamford Bridge.

Hazard scored the winning spot-kick as Chelsea edged Eintracht Frankfurt 4-3 on penalties to reach the Europa League final after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate.

Chelsea attacker Hazard has been linked with LaLiga giants Madrid throughout the season and reports in Spain claim the Belgium international is close to agreeing a deal.

Asked if it was Hazard's last game at Stamford Bridge following Thursday's 1-1 draw, Willian told reporters: "I don't know, I don't think so.

"For me I hope he stays, but in football you never know. I think his head is here, to play for Chelsea.

"Then after he's finished the season maybe he can talk about his situation. I don't know anything about him leaving so for me I hope he can stay.

"He's very important, a special player, he's very important for us, he helps us a lot. And he's one of the best players in the world."

After Ruben Loftus-Cheek's first-half opener was cancelled out by Luka Jovic, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saved two penalties in the shoot-out.

"I'm happy with them, with my team-mates," Willian said. "We always try to do our best job on the pitch, Kepa was brilliant, Hazard was brilliant.

"It wasn't our best performance but we did what we needed to do to get to the final."

Chelsea – who lost to Manchester City in the EFL Cup decider – will now face London rivals Arsenal in an all-English Europa League final in Baku on May 29.

"It means a lot, one more final," Brazil international Willian added. "It's always good to reach a final and fight for titles. We have one more opportunity this season. We got to a final against City but we didn't win, so now we've got to fight for it."

It is the first time the European Cup/Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League finals will be feature four teams from the same nation as Liverpool and Tottenham prepare to meet in Madrid.

"I can believe it," Willian said. "For me I think it's the best league in the world, the Premier League. All of these teams, they have great players doing a great job, and all of them deserve it."

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