Time Is Right For Chelsea FC To Cash In On Eden Hazard
![LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/54f66f81afb4b372388f7ae29094d40f07546ea7f755a13b7a399e67329f6bb3.jpg)
Eden Hazard will be the subject of yet more transfer rumours this summer, but perhaps this time Chelsea FC should be prepared to negotiate a deal.
At the end of the 2014/15 season, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard had the world at his feet. A scintillating campaign saw him be showered with numerous accolades and year-end awards as journalists, pundits and fans recognised his arrival at the top echelon of the sport.
However, as the 2015/16 campaign reaches its business end, some are branding the Belgian as overrated. Others are wondering whether we all got rather carried away with adulation just under one year ago.
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Hazard has been awful for the Blues this season. After playing a significant part in the club’s Premier League and League Cup double last time out, he has taken a backseat while Chelsea have violently fallen from grace. While supporters were desperately praying that he would not be drawn to the big money deals that were rumoured over the summer, many are now willing to move him on should a lucrative offer come in.
The Blues have shown that they are in dire need of a reboot. They have looked uninspired and stale, putting in repeated abject performances. After losing club greats such as Frank Lampard, Petr Cech and Didier Drogba in recent years, Chelsea appear to be losing their identity as well. John Terry’s imminent departure only adds to this.
As a result, the current squad is devoid of players who truly embody the spirit of Chelsea FC. It was hoped that someone like Eden Hazard could paper over this crack and carry the club into the next generation, but this campaign has proven his unsuitability for the role.
Some have attempted to cut him some slack given both his and Chelsea’s hectic schedule. However, after taking some time off due to injuries, he has failed to get back up to speed. It genuinely looks as though he doesn’t care that much.
That is a strong statement to make and one that is probably/hopefully invalid, but this is the image that he is projected to the fanbase through his performances.
Despite his form, many big clubs are still extremely interested in securing his services. This is where Chelsea may want to seriously consider moving him on. After signing a contract extension in the summer, Hazard is committed to the Blues for the foreseeable future. Hence, he can command an inflated transfer fee. The last few months have indicated that he perhaps does not have the potential to be the consistent franchise player that everyone once thought and thus the money is looking incredibly more attractive.
If rumours are to be believed, the likes of PSG and Real Madrid are ready to cough up as much as £80 million for the Belgian. With the rebuild required over the summer and Financial Fair Play restricting Chelsea’s license to splash the cash, such a windfall would be incredibly helpful.
At the age of 25, it is a shame that this sort of option has to be discussed, but after affording Hazard time to get back onto his feet, he has shunned any opportunity to do so. It is true that all great players go through a rough patch, but given Chelsea’s current situation, they cannot afford to take a punt on the winger when lucrative compensation is on offer.
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Hopefully, Hazard does want to stay at Stamford Bridge and will do his utmost to prove his worth as the season winds down. Unless that happens, it may well be time to cash in.