Reports making the rounds claim west London side Chelsea have plans to let go of Eden Hazard come January. In a player-plus-cash deal that will see Antonio Conte’s number 1 transfer target Leonardo Bonucci arrive from Juventus, the Belgian playmaker could head the opposite direction when the winter transfer window opens.
The one-time Real Madrid target had a very dismal campaign last term by all standards, and was initially rumoured to be inkling towards a possible exit by summer as the season drew to an end. However, he has stayed put and pledged his loyalty in helping the Blues return to the pinnacle of English football.
But with just few flashes of Hazard’s brilliance and abilities displayed thus far, Conte sees him as an expendable asset, so far his exit will land the Italian’s very heart desire. While Bonucci could be the solution to Chelsea’s defensive conundrum, discarding Hazard will have far-reaching consequences on the club.
If there is a player still capable of getting hold of a game by the scruff of the neck for the Stamford Bridge outfit, it’s the 24-year-old. In the last months and despite the heavy dip in form he suffered, we have seen him do it again and again. He inadvertently won Leicester City the league at the end of matchday 36 last season by singlehandedly putting Tottenham to the sword.
Against Burnley, West Ham and Watford this term, we’ve seen what an Eden Hazard can do once fully in his element. He is able to inspire a comeback and win when there is huge need to, and results are produced. With a little more consistency – the type he displayed during the club’s last title-winning season, expect Hazard to lead Chelsea to the top once again.
He still has the magical wands. With him gone, getting a player who will be able to do that won’t come any easy. Such a rare gem is worth more than a bumper transfer fees, using him as a make-weight is a no brainer. Except it’s for Ronaldo or Messi.
At 25, he’s no way near his peak, and it can only be imagined how better he would be when he finally hits the zenith. Eden Hazard’s struggles with consistency is the only reason why he has been deemed no longer a necessity but an option by Conte, but it’s too early to expect him to have picked up his explosive form after 7 games.
In all his 4 full seasons at the Stamford Bridge, the Belgian has proven the type of quality he can bring to the table, and with his current contract not expiring until January 2020, the club has in time past shown Hazard is a long-term plan. And he’s beginning to get close to a stage where he would offer his best football.
If he’s let gone, then the regrets will be solely Chelsea’s as he will put in outstanding performances for Juve or wherever he goes. The Blues have made the very same mistake they are bound to commit with Lukaku and De Bruyne in the past – making a 3rd blunder will pose a far more disastrous consequence.
The former PFA Team player of the year is far from over, as the reality really is he isn’t started yet. Bonucci will help keep things tight at the back and contribute his long balls to the attack, but without Hazard to put the finishing touches – something he can do like no other on his day, then the influence of the Italian will go down the drain eventually.