Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid has been a disaster, but Premier League title contenders Chelsea could offer him an escape route next summer.
Chelsea could have a terrifying starting line-up if Eden Hazard makes a sensational return to Stamford Bridge. Hazard’s big-money move to Real Madrid has been a disaster, with the Belgian frequently hit by injury, making just four starts in La Liga so far this season.
Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti has also now opened the door to his departure, by revealing that he prefers other players to the 30-year-old.
Despite being fully fit, Hazard was left on the bench for the Clasico win over Barcelona, while Wednesday’s goalless draw with Osasuna was the fourth successive game he has not started.
Reports in the Spanish press indicate that Madrid are open to negotiations for the winger, who will have two years left on his contract by the end of the season.
Certainly, it appears increasingly unlikely that his future lies at the Bernabeu, with Ancelotti making it clear that he is out of favour.
“Hazard is ready, but his problem right now is that he has a coach who prefers other players, which can happen in a squad like this one,” he said.
One of the main frontrunners to sign him would undoubtedly be Chelsea, the club where he enjoyed so much success before his horror transfer.
And if the Blues did make a move for their former star, it would hand Thomas Tuchel a stunning starting line-up going into next season.
Edouard Mendy would start in goal having become one of the Premier League’s best keepers, conceding just three league goals this season.
Cesar Azpilicueta has emerged as a dependable option in Tuchel’s three-man defence, bringing leadership to a group likely to lose Thiago Silva at the end of this season.
Starting in the middle of that defence could be Jules Kounde, with Chelsea still interested in a move for the Sevilla star with Antonio Rudiger edging closer to an exit.
Tuchel has utilised the rising stars of Chelsea’s academy this season and by the start of the next campaign Trevoh Chalobah should be a regular starter as the final man in the backline.
With Azpilicueta in central defence, Reece James should continue at right wing-back, having impressed with his ability both in attack and when defending.
Lining up on the opposite flank would be Ben Chilwell, who has seemingly beaten off the competition of Marcos Alonso for the left wing-back role and is currently starring for the Blues.
Inside that duo in central midfield would be Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, who should continue to be Tuchel’s first choices next season.
Having scored a hat-trick against Norwich City, Mason Mount looks back to his best and will keep his place in one of the positions behind the striker.
If he does return, Hazard would take the other attacking midfielder position, with that role having got the best out of him in his first spell at Stamford Bridge.
Though he has endured a difficult run of form recently, Romelu Lukaku will continue to lead the line for the Blues, with countryman Hazard hopefully creating lots of opportunities for him.
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