Following their Europa League victory, where they beat Arsenal 4-1, Chelsea fans were dealt an inevitable blow as their star man, Eden Hazard, revealed that he will be leaving the Blues in the summer, with Real Madrid his likely destination.
Hazard said he needs a new challenge and that we’ll know in a few days:
“I think so. I want a new challenge, like I said last year after the World Cup but it didn’t happen. So now it’s between both clubs, so I will see. I am still waiting, like you are waiting, like the fans are waiting, so we’ll see in a couple of days.”
With the Belgian set to leave the club in the summer, which 3 players can replace him in the future? Let’s find out:
Philippe Coutinho
After a miserable season for Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho, the third costliest player in the world could leave Nou Camp in the summer. The Brazilian has not been able to fill the boots of Andres Iniesta in the Barcelona team, but perhaps a return to the Premier League could change the fortunes of Coutinho.
The midfielder can play on the left as part of a front three, or in central areas, but it’s in positions where he doesn’t have to do much defending is where he is a great asset for any club. Coutinho has excellent passing ability and his composure in the final third and close control are two of his key traits. A player with significant experience, the 26-year-old could fit in seamlessly on Chelsea’s left-hand side.
Antoine Griezmann
Another big La Liga player who could make a move in the summer is Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann who has told the Spanish club that he wants to leave. Barcelona are frontrunners to sign him, but Chelsea should do everything in their power to sign a marquee player like Greizmann who could give the entire team a boost.
While Griezmann likes to play further forward in central areas, he has shown that he can dovetail off another striker, causing havoc in and around the penalty area with his neat passing and accuracy in front of goal. He could be given the freedom to move around, drift from wide positions and make things happen for Chelsea on the attacking front.
And while Griezmann might not be a like for like replacement position-wise, Callum Hudson-Odoi’s emergence means the young Englishman can occupy the left-flank more regularly while Antoine can be utilised in more central areas.
Wilfried Zaha
A player who could replicate the same direct running that Hazard is known for is Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, who revealed recently that he wants to play in the Champions League. Zaha has been impressive for Palace. He has put behind his bad spell at Manchester United and blossomed at Palace, becoming the London club’s most important player.
The Ivory Coast international scored 10 goals and 5 assists in the 2018-19 Premier League season. Zaha’s pace and dribbling has caused several Premier League teams problems and he is certainly someone Chelsea can have a look at.
P.S: Any transfer incomings at Stamford Bridge will depend on whether Chelsea appeal their transfer ban to the CAS and get it frozen for a window or not.