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Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri receives major boost as Real Madrid star makes KEY decision
MATTEO KOVACIC has hinted that he wants to make his loan move to Chelsea permanent.
The Croatian is on loan from Real Madrid and made a positive start to life at Stamford Bridge.
But his Blues career has now began to dwindle sparking uncertainty whether the move will be made permanent at the end of the season.
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He has made 20 appearances in all competitions, remaining ahead of the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley in the midfield pecking order.
Now Kovacic has hinted that he could be willing to make the move permanent, which should please his manager Maurizio Sarri.
"I think it [a loan switch] was the most important thing I did for now in my career,” he told Sky Sports.
"It was a step I wanted a lot, I wanted to come here. I say thank you to my previous club, to Chelsea as well, who wanted me a lot. I am enjoying it and I like it a lot here.
"For now, I am happy here. The city is amazing, the club is one of the best in the world, and my team-mates are great.
"I need to respect my previous club, Real Madrid. I can imagine myself staying here, but I have a contract I need to respect, and that is what I will do.
"For now, my business is to give my best every day."
Chelsea had gone unbeaten in their first ten Premier League matches.
But recent defeats against Tottenham, Wolves and Leicester have left them clinging onto a place in the top four.
One player who cannot be called into question this season is Eden Hazard.
"For me, he is an incredible player,” Kovacic added on his team mate.
"I did not know he was that good and he can easily be one of the two or three best players in the world.
"He asked me how it was there [at Real] but we are looking forward to having a great season together, to be fully concentrated on Chelsea.
"He is focused a lot on doing great things with Chelsea."