Chelsea FC Interested In Antoine Griezmann As Eden Hazard Replacement
Chelsea FC are considering making a move for Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann as a replacement for Eden Hazard, according to reports.
Eden Hazard has been heavily linked with a Stamford Bridge exit after being engulfed by horrendous form in this campaign. It is thought that the likes of PSG and Real Madrid are monitoring the situation, with the latter weighing up a offer worth some £80 million for Chelsea star.
With all this, the Blues are considering launching a bid for Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann as a replacement for the Belgian should he leave. The Daily Mail reports that Atletico’s impending transfer embargo may make them more open to a deal.
"Chelsea will move for £60million-rated Antoine Griezmann in the summer if Eden Hazard pushes to join either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain…the funds would allow the club to rebuild before having to miss out on the next two transfer windows."
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Hazard has been awful throughout this campaign. After picking up multiple player of the year awards last season, the winger has gone off the boil in a spectacular fashion. Whether this be down to burn-out or just bad luck, Hazard has lost all of the magic that saw him be compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo last year.
He finally broke his extended scoring duck earlier today after slotting home a penalty against MK Dons, but doubts still remain over his happiness in West London. As a result, Chelsea brass are drawing up contingency plans in the case that Hazard pushes for an exit.
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Griezmann has developed into the centrepiece of Diego Simeone’s current Atletico squad. After joining from Real Sociedad two summers ago, the Frenchman initially took some time to settle into the Argentinian’s unique system. However, he has been prolific for Atleti since he found his feet, scoring 44 goals for the Spaniards in 84 competitive appearances.
It is therefore evident why Atletico value him so highly. The 24-year-old is supremely talented and, more importantly, he is still developing. He is a player that any club with sufficient funding should look to purchase.
This is particularly true given Atleti’s transfer ban. They are a club who largely operate off the money that they raise from selling players and if their appeal is rejected, they will be unable to buy and sell personnel until winter of 2017. They may very well welcome a mega bid to provide them with enough capital to bring in a host of talent over the summer.
Even if Hazard doesn’t leave, Chelsea should consider signing Griezmann anyway. With Financial Fair Play, this may require moving on some current players but Griezmann seems worth the trouble.
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