Chelsea is bracing for the negotiations over Eden Hazard. They will not want it to devolve in the way Thibaut Courtois’ did.
Last summer, Chelsea had a key player with a year left on his contract. Real Madrid wanted that player and Chelsea stood fast in their negotiations. Eventually, that player opted to force the issue by going AWOL and Real Madrid got them at a cut rate price.
Real Madrid would love to do the same thing again this summer but for Eden Hazard instead of Thibaut Courtois. Like last year, Chelsea knows the player wants to leave. Again, the Blues are holding firm on their demands. And once more, Real Madrid is waiting for the player to force the issue.
Hazard’s recent comments are as close as he has gotten to forcing the issue. Rumors have held steady that the Blues will accept nothing less than £100 million. Real Madrid have tried to haggle that down as they do not want to pay that much for a player Hazard’s age with a year left on his contract irrespective of his ability. They want the issue to play out as Courtois’ did, but one way or another, Chelsea will not allow that episode to repeat.
First of all, Chelsea had options on file to replace Courtois. Even if the transfer ban is delayed, it is nearly impossible to replace a player like Hazard. So if he is going to depart, the price has to be right. The player may want to go, but with the ban Chelsea may just bite the bullet and let the contract expire rather than be forced into a sale below asking price.
There is also much less incentive for Hazard to go rouge. Chelsea’s asking price is not unreasonable and Hazard understands his position among fans. Unlike Courtois, Hazard is going to be remembered as a legend unless he destroys that legacy to force a move. While he may not like staying another year, he would rather do that than burn the bridges he has built with the Chelsea faithful.
Because of those factors, Chelsea has far more bargaining power this time around than last summer. All things considered, £100 million for a player like Hazard is still a very good and fair price for a player of Hazard’s caliber. Real Madrid will find no other option of similar talent for such a low price. If they want him, they will pay the full price.
That of course will not stop them from trying to run this down to the wire while hoping Chelsea or Hazard blinks. But unlike Courtois, there seems little chance of that. Chelsea will not want Hazard to go for free, but if it comes to that with the ban in play they will. Hazard is unlikely to go AWOL or submit a transfer request and ruin the good will he has built the last seven years.
The ball is in Real Madrid’s court. Pay the very fair asking price or wait. Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, or whoever else they have in mind will not come cheaper. If they want Hazard, they will have to come and get him. He will not go to them as Courtois did.