Kevin De Bruyne Good Enough For Chelsea – Eden Hazard
One of the weaknesses in the Chelsea FC lineup this season has been the left wing position. Willian provides an excellent work rate but his offensive contribution has been lacking especially considering £30m price tag. The Blues added Juan Cuadrado in January but he has yet to establish himself. The irony of course is that Chelsea had a true winger in Kevin De Bruyne but opted to sell him to Wolfsburg in January 2014.
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Since leaving Chelsea for Wolfsburg, Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the best players in the Bundesliga. He has helped lead Wolfsburg to second in the Bundesliga and has set the scoring and assist charts alight with his play. After settling in last season, De Bruyne had 3 goals and 6 assists in 18 appearances. After a full offseason and preseason with the team, this season he has a ridiculous 14 goals and 24 assists in 38 appearances so far.
Eden Hazard, as quoted by Sky Sports, on Kevin De Bruyne’s Chelsea career:
"“He is a great player, Mourinho decided to let him go and not play him. It was not my decision, even though I know very well that he could play at Chelsea because he has tremendous qualities. I think at Chelsea, you have more pressure than Wolfsburg. It’s a shame he’s gone but he’ll have a successful career.”"
The only Chelsea player that even comes close to those numbers is Cesc Fabregas who has 20 assists but has only scored 4 goals in all competitions. The Bundesliga may not be considered as tough defensively of a league as the Premier League but to be responsible for 38 goals in 38 appearances is an incredible number by any measure.
Jul 1, 2014; Salvador, BRAZIL; Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (7) controls the ball in the first half against USA during the round of sixteen match in the 2014 World Cup at Arena Fonte Nova. Belgium defeated USA 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
So either Kevin De Bruyne is just made for the Bundesliga or he has simply come in to his own as a player in recent years and used his Chelsea exit as motivation. There have been rumors that Wolfsburg is looking to sell their prized asset and Chelsea is among the many suitors. That ship may have already sailed but it is hard to argue that De Bruyne would not be an upgrade offensively on the left wing.
Mourinho has very high demands of his offensive players that many managers do not and the personal relationship between the two may be beyond repair. De Bruyne has stated this season that he would like to play for another big club at some point in his career and Chelsea is one of the biggest.
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The popular saying is “you can never go home again” but Chelsea was hardly a home for the young Belgian. He made only 3 regular season appearances for Chelsea so if he was to decide to return, it would be with a much heftier price tag and a reputation as one of the most exciting young players in Europe. He may not be the defensive force that Willian is but the Blues have often lacked a threat on the left wing other than the forays of Branislav Ivanovic in to enemy territory.
Chelsea have many options in attacking midfield but none of them have made a real impact at Stamford Bridge. Mohamed Salah has exploded on to the scene in Serie A and would be a much cheaper option that De Bruyne considering he is already a Chelsea player. There is doubt that he could make the same impact at Chelsea but the same can be said about De Bruyne despite his play in the Bundesliga.