Chelsea legend Frank Lampard urges team to respect Hazard's decision

Leeds: Former Chelsea player Frank Lampard has urged the team to respect Eden Hazard's wishes when it comes to a summer transfer, saying that the side should not block Hazard's path if he wants to leave.

"I would certainly say that in the seven years Eden Hazard has been at Chelsea he's elevated himself to one of the great players in their history, without a doubt, in terms of what he's done on the pitch," goal.com quoted Hazard as saying on Tuesday.

"It would be a shame for the Premier League and for Chelsea to lose him. But we have to also understand the individual's wants and desires on the pitch and what they want to do," he added.

There have been numerous speculations that the 28-year-old Hazard may very well take a transfer to Real Madrid.

Hazard himself was seen advocating Madrid transfer and said he's keen to test himself in Spain.

Chelsea now has a big decision to make regarding Hazard's future.

"I actually don't know [whether Hazard will leave]. The signs are that he might be leaving, it seems, if the clubs can agree on that and if that's what the player wants. I know Eden and I like him and I would go by what he wants to do," Hazard said.

The Belgian has appeared for Chelsea more than 350 times. He has scored 108 goals for the club and he has helped the side to secure two Premier League titles, a League Cup win, an FA Cup win and a Europa League triumph.

Hazard may very well see himself appearing for the Blues last time when Chelsea takes on Arsenal in the 2019 Europa League final on May 29 in Baku.