Chelsea: Anthony Martial would ease a loss of Eden Hazard
By Travis Tyler
In one of the first reliable links of the summer, Chelsea have been linked to Anthony Martial. If Eden Hazard departs, the Martial would be ideal.
Chelsea are entertaining the notion that Eden Hazard might depart. For all of his talent, there was always a sense that he had more to offer. Every new manager has pulled a little more of it out but the club is expecting that process to halt if recent rumors are to be believed.
In the first reliable link of the summer, Chelsea have been connected to Manchester United’s Anthony Martial. With Eden Hazard, the Blues have no spot for the Frenchman. The mere beginning of this rumor implies that the Chelsea hierarchy are preparing for a scenario where Eden Hazard departs.
Replacing Hazard with a player of similar talent and potential is vital. Martial checks those boxes. He lit Ligue 1 alight before transferring to Manchester United. He replicated the same form there but has slowly seen his minutes dry up under Jose Mourinho.
Despite splitting his time between the bench and the field, Martial has scored 11 goals and gotten 10 assists in 2,230 minutes. To put that in perspective, Chelsea only has three players who have scored more (Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata, and Willian) and only two with more assists (Hazard and WIllian).
One of the most exciting things about Martial is his versatility. Mourinho tried to find a way to get him on the pitch, resulting him Martial becoming a winger. But he came to Manchester United as a striker. He has all the skills needed to exist in several formations under several managers.
If the manager next season is Antonio Conte, then Martial is an ideal target for the Blues. Martial would be much more capable of playing as a striker in the 3-5-2 than Hazard and is still capable of playing as a winger in a 3-4-3. If any other manager comes in, they could find a spot for Martial wide or central depending on the squad next season.
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The big question is if Manchester United would be willing to sell, and if so, for how much. Martial will only have a year left on his contract in the summer and will be less than pleased with his drop in playing time after the arrival of Alexis Sanchez. By all intents and purposes, Mourinho has replaced Martial despite his good form.
But United will also understand that Martial remains one of the best young players in the world. They will also be weary of another Mohamed Salah situation with Jose Mourinho (though they may be past that point already). And they will surely be hesitant to sell to a rival for anything less than a premium.
The only slim hope that Chelsea has is that United “owe” Chelsea. The Blues sold United both Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic for somewhat low prices. And with the nature of player purchases being what it is, United are likely still paying Chelsea for one or both players. If Chelsea come in for a United player, they could waive away some of that outstanding debt for United. That would allow United to use that money elsewhere.
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Martial will be a long shot, but it is good to see the club preparing for the eventuality of Eden Hazard’s departure. Martial may not be the most attainable replacement but he ticks most of, if not all of, the boxes.