Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri said on Friday that he doesn't expect to lose Belgium international winger Eden Hazzard during the current transfer window.

Although the transfer window in the Premier League closed over a week ago, it doesn't close in Spain until the end of August, prompting speculation that Real Madrid may still launch an offensive for the 27-year-old as they seek to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.

Hazzard himself fueled speculation about a move from Stamford Bridge after the World Cup when he said that "after 6 wonderful years with Chelsea, it might be time to discover something different."

Speaking to the press ahead of Chelsea's home game against Arsenal on Saturday evening, Sarri said he expects Hazzard to stay in London.

"I have spoken to him often in 10 days, but he has never said anything about leaving. I am sure Eden will be with us this season," he commented.

The Italian discussed the knee injury suffered by Manchester City's winger Kevin de Bruyne this week. De Bruyne will be out of action for the next three months and Sarri believes it could be due to the amount of matches modern players now play.

"At this level players play a lot of games in the season, so I think for them it is very dangerous," he said, hinting he would try and ensure the same doesn't happen to Hazzard.

One player whose fitness he doesn't doubt, however, is World Cup winner N'golo Kante. He said the French midfielder has special "physical characteristics he is very quickly ready to play. He is ready, but for the other players for the World Cup it is a little bit different."

Sarri also revealed that Mateo Kovacic, who is on loan from Real Madrid, will probably make his debut against Arsenal.

"He is not ready for 90 minutes but maybe Saturday for the last 30 minutes. I ask a lot of him, because for me (he) is a very good player and in my opinion he can improve more," he commented before paying homage to the victims of the Genoa bridge disaster.

"It is a terrible disaster. The consequences of what happened will go on for a long time," lamented the Italian. 

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