Chelsea is linked to every Real Madrid cast off thanks to Mateo Kovacic

Chelsea is being linked to Real Madrid “flop” after Real Madrid “flop”. Mateo Kovacic has paved the way for an easy rumor mill.

Mateo Kovacic never truly found his feet at Real Madrid. That is not to say that he was terrible but the margins are so fine at the Spanish giant that being just okay is being the same as terrible. So off he went to Chelsea on loan with an option to buy.

His first season was a bit up and down, but even in a poor fitting role his talents were evident. This season, he has been used much more as the “glue” that connects a defense and attack that he was always meant to be. He has been phenomenal.

Kovacic has done so well, in fact, that now other Real Madrid cast offs are being linked to Chelsea. The Blues have become the Real Madrid rehabilitation center as far as rumors go and on some level it does make sense. Failing at Madrid does not bar one from being a success at more reasonable clubs.

The more recent rumor involves Achraf Hakimi. The Jack of all trades wide player has been on loan at Dortmund this season (and last) but Real Madrid is weird about how it treats players. His being on loan is likely enough for Real to entertain offers for the player.

Beyond that is a retread on Luka Jovic. The Blues were heavily linked to the striker prior to the transfer ban and then the player went to Real Madrid. But Zinedine Zidane has not taken to the player and it appears Real Madrid is already willing to move him along rather than persist with him. Chelsea is seemingly reigniting their interest in him, even if only on loan.

These rumors also likely stem from what is a very good working relationship between Chelsea and Real Madrid. Yes, the Thibaut Courtois business was shady but the Eden Hazard and Kovacic deals went quite smoothly. It has since become easy to link one club’s trash into another club’s treasure.

Speaking of Hazard, he has not had the greatest time in Spain himself. It is only a matter of time before Chelsea is linked to their old talisman. Even if it is only smoke, many fans would find the prospect mouthwatering. More world class players flop at Real Madrid than make it and Hazard could easily find himself again were he to return. Of course, that is just pure speculation without basis at the moment.

Kovacic has paved the way for many Real Madrid “flops” to be rumored to join Chelsea. Some of them may even turn out to be real due to the good relationship between the two clubs. For now, they can all be taken with a heavy grain of salt but things can change rapidly in the transfer market (especially when Real Madrid is involved). Keep an eye on these rumors just in case there is more than just smoke behind them.