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Chelsea must sever Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois contract talks

By George Perry

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Leander Dendoncker, Eden Hazard of Belgium and assistant coach Thierry Henry look dejected following their sides defeat in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 10: Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Leander Dendoncker, Eden Hazard of Belgium and assistant coach Thierry Henry look dejected following their sides defeat in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Belgium and France at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 10, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Thibaut Courtois knows Chelsea can replace him but they cannot replace Eden Hazard, so he is doing his best to force a Belgian package deal on the Blues. Devilish.

Among Thibaut Courtois’ many deficiencies is his poor decision-making and timing over when to come out aggressively and when to stay near his line. He often misreads the situation developing in front of him, with his sense of self overwhelming his understanding of the moment and the flow around him. And that’s just when he’s in front of a microphone. Wait till we talk about his goalkeeping.

Chelsea’s goalkeeper took the occasion of his World Cup Golden Glove to say he is worth more than the £200,000 per week Chelsea offered him in December. He once again linked his future to Eden Hazard’s. Whether that keeps them at Chelsea or takes them to Real Madrid, Courtois does not much care. As long as they’re together.

Unlike his usual gaffes, this is quite smart by Thibaut Courtois. And much like his goalkeeping, he is hoping top line, out-of-context facts and statistics will distract from his shortcomings.

Thibaut Courtois’ Golden Glove and his overall performance at the World Cup should not change Chelsea’s assessment or valuation of him. The World Cup is rarely good for such things, and Courtois is no exception. The 10 men in front of him had much more to do with Belgium’s success than he did. If not for Hugo Lloris’ howler in the final, Lloris would be the qualitative goalkeeper of the tournament. Jordan Pickford would be in the mix as well, again for the intangibles in addition to saves.

Despite Brazil exiting the tournament early, Allison is still a worthwhile transfer target for Chelsea. Courtois certainly knows this. In fact, Allison may be the anvil and Eden Hazard the hammer in Courtois’ thinking.

In Courtois’ scheme, if Chelsea want to keep Eden Hazard they will have to keep Courtois, with both players setting the terms. If Chelsea want to buy Allison, they will need to sell Courtois. But if Courtois and Eden Hazard are inseparable, then only a club who can afford both and be satisfying to both is in play. Real Madrid is the only such club.

Heads Courtois wins, tails Chelsea lose.

Chelsea have had enough issues with cliques in the locker room. They cannot allow these power plays to spill over into the board room.

Chelsea must sever Eden Hazard from Thibaut Courtois in these contract negotiations. Hazard is one of two indispensable players at Stamford Bridge. Courtois is one of several goalkeepers in Europe who could fill the role. Hazard could be the heart of the team for years to come. Courtois is a permanent fault line in the dressing room. Chelsea need Eden Hazard. They do not need Thibaut Courtois.

Next: Signing Jorginho is a start, but keeping Eden Hazard will be the statement

Again, Courtois knows this. He knows his best hope of getting what he wants is to attach himself to someone who can truly demand and deserve such things. Hazard has the talent that brings the leverage Courtois craves. Hazard should not share it, and Chelsea must not let it shape these decisions.

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