Chelsea’s inability to secure a striker exacerbates a condition that should have lent extra urgency to their transfer chase: the Blues will open the season without Eden Hazard.
The eager expectancy of the transfer window opening quickly gave way to the shock and drama of the Romelu Lukaku debacle. Lost amidst the emotions was Eden Hazard, who is still recovering from a broken ankle he suffered in training with Belgium’s national team.
Hazard will miss at least the first few games of the season. Even after he returns to play he may still need several weeks to regain his confidence and his full abilities, that is, those things that make him who and what he is.
Eden Hazard carries much of Chelsea’s offensive burden when they are without a striker, whether that is due to injury or Diego Costa’s attitude. There is never an adequate Plan B for Hazard. When Hazard is the Plan B and he is injured, Chelsea are in a dire situation. Somehow, this seemingly did not compel them to act more decisively for Romelu Lukaku or Alvaro Morata before the situation spiralled out of control.
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Lukaku would have been the best option for Chelsea in Hazard’s absence. The Blues could have used Lukaku for the classic centre-forward traits: hold-up play and as the big target man up front. He could receive the ball as the wingers moved into position and the midfielders joined the assault, then play any of them on a one-two. Alternatively, he could receive long-range passes from Cesc Fabregas or crosses from Marcos Alonso, and immediately turn them on net.
These are two of the strongest components of his game. They could allow Chelsea to survive without Eden Hazard by playing a relatively straight-forward style of football. Chelsea would not have the brilliant unpredictable moments that Hazard creates, but they could maintain pressure on the net.
More importantly, Lukaku can shoulder this burden physically, psychologically and tactically. Chelsea cannot entrust their offensive output to Willian and Pedro. Cesc Fabregas is only as effective as the target who reads his passes, takes them out of the air and converts them into chances.
Any of the remaining strikers on Chelsea’s transfer list can adequately replace Diego Costa. No player can replace Eden Hazard. But Romelu Lukaku offered the best opportunity for Chelsea to compensate tactically for Hazard’s absence. Chelsea could create simple scoring chances via Lukaku to make up for the much more inspired chances Hazard would create.
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Chelsea would have opened the season in damage control mode already. They may spend the first few weeks of the season treading water rather than defending their title.