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Chelsea player previews: Eden Hazard’s 2017/18 has unusual uncertainty

By Travis Tyler

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides third goal with Diego Costa of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides third goal with Diego Costa of Chelsea during The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Eden Hazard put his underwhelming 2015/2016 season firmly into the past in 2016/2017. Though he was not always the match-winner or star player, he was steadily vital to Chelsea’s offense and was a major part of the Premier League title.

Last season may have been the best of Eden Hazard’s career. He excelled for both Chelsea and Belgium. And though it was not his most trophy-laden campaign, it was extremely successful for breaking records, both personally and as part of a team.

The only major negative to take from the year was the injury he suffered while on international duty right before the break. He will miss the start of the next campaign, and will be behind on getting fit enough for Antonio Conte’s system.

When Eden Hazard returns from injury, he will set off a chain reaction amongst the Chelsea squad. Chelsea’s performance in his absence will determine the effects of his return. If they are struggling, he is likely to jump right back into the starting lineup in an effort to provide a missing spark. If the squad is doing well, Hazard is still likely to return to the starting lineup, but it will be a slow and measured return.

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An added dimension to Hazard’s return will be the lineup that Conte uses in his absence. During the preseason, Conte has stayed with a 3-4-3 formation. But Alvaro Morata’s lackluster performance as a left winger and Michy Batshuayi’s strong form could see Conte experiment with a 3-5-2 formation to start the season.

In this situation, it is possible for Hazard to slip in as a secondary striker in Batshuayi’s place, or as a No. 10 behind the pair of Batshuayi and Morata. Hazard has had practice at both under Conte, but never for an extended run. The real question will be whether Conte adjusts the formation he has in Hazard’s absence to fit the Belgian, or if he slots Hazard into the formation that exists while Hazard is out.

A big question will be how quickly Hazard can return to world-beating form. Without a preseason to get fit or develop form, he will be starting the season a few steps behind almost every player.

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If Hazard struggles in the first few games after returning, it would not be out of character for Conte to drop him until a cup game gives the Belgian a chance to fight for his spot. It seems unlikely, but it is entirely possible that Hazard finds himself in a similar situation as Willian in 2016/2017: always on the outside looking in on a squad performing well without him.

And, of course, there is always the question as to how quickly the transfer rumors return. By the end of the season, Eden Hazard will be 27 and approaching or at his peak. Realistically, if he is going to move to another club he has one more chance to make the jump. Very few clubs would be considered a step up from Chelsea. Unfortunately for the Blues, all of those clubs could soon have a spot open for a player such as Hazard.

Real Madrid has an aging Ronaldo and a player that they do not seem keen on in Gareth Bale. Barcelona has an aging Messi and a potential Neymar departure to deal with. Bayern Munich has been looking for heirs apparent to Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery for what feels like forever and time is running out. And Juventus has been flirting with becoming one of the world’s top clubs, and has been splashing the cash to solidify that position.

If Hazard wants a move, there are plenty of options for him to make one last step up.

But on the flip side, Hazard could also stay at Chelsea and help take the Blues to that elite level. The Blues have returned to the Champions League, have an elite manager who seems interested in going as far as he can with the club, and have the stars and clout to potentially reach the level.

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If Eden Hazard and Antonio Conte both stay for the longterm, together they can take Chelsea to the top. How Hazard and the squad perform in the Champions League will play a major role in determining what future plays out for the Belgian and the Pride of London.

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