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LONDON. — Chelsea are bracing themselves for a summer-long battle with Real Madrid over Eden Hazard.The English Premier League soccer champions-elect are determined to reject any approach from the Spanish club for their superstar winger.

But Real believe Hazard is ­interested in finally working with head coach Zinedine Zidane after five years at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgium international is also understood to be learning Spanish, while Chelsea are refusing to comment publicly on claims they promised the 26-year-old to consider any offer from the Bernabeu for his services. The Londoners have been so convinced Hazard will stay that they have been lining up a lucrative new contracts for both him and international team-mate Thibaut Courtois, their goalkeeper. Hazard has scored 11 goals this season and has been key, along with N’Golo Kante and Diego Costa. — The Mirror.