Chelsea: Eden Hazard, a gift that keeps on giving

Chelsea’s massive sale of Eden Hazard to realize his dream is a gift that keeps on giving to the Club he left for Real Madrid

Eden Hazard was a massive signing for Chelsea when he came over from Lille in 2012 after Chelsea had won the UEFA Champions League. He was a rising young star in world football and made it clear that his signing was no mistake for the club. He excelled as a playmaker and a scorer, he made his teammates better and he won numerous trophies. Money well spent, indeed.

But for years, rumors abounded about his abiding desire to leave for his dream club, Real Madrid, and take his talent to the Bernabeu to play under his idol, Zinedine Zidane. Obviously, this was not a move Chelsea wished to see happen, but change is sometimes good for both sides. The Hazard sale to Real Madrid has been a good move for the player, his new team, and surprisingly, his former team as well.

It has been a good year for Real Madrid as Los Blancos recently wrapped up the La Liga title. While Hazard did not enjoy one of his best seasons, he nevertheless achieved what was likely a personal goal by being a part of the title-winning squad under Zidane. On the other side of the equation, Chelsea also seems to be a winner in the deal that sent Hazard, at age 29, over to Real Madrid at a fantastic price for the Blues.

Chelsea’s deal with Madrid was reported to gain the club up to £130 million, a nice return on the £32 million the Blues paid for the star in 2012. The deal is still in the works, per say. Commenting on the continuing Hazard bonanza to Chelsea, The Mirror reported that the club may indeed receive another comfortable amount toward that £130 million sum. Due to a clause in the Belgian star’s sale, the La Liga Champions will have to fork over at least £15 million to the west London club for Madrid’s title win.

The good news continues. Hazard realizes his dream and Chelsea realizes a monumental return on investment that will finance a good portion of its revamping under Frank Lampard. A win-win situation for all involved parties. There may also be even more tacked onto that aphorism as Hazard’s sale is the gift that keeps on giving for Chelsea. The availability of perhaps ultimately £130 million could finance the acquisition of two, three or maybe even four excellent players to make up for the loss of Hazard.

Hazard scored one goal in his first year in La Liga for Real Madrid. One might hazard a guess that Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner will score a few more than that for the Blues in the Premier League in 2020/21. Absent injury, there is no question they will. Their combined transfer fees would just about add up to Hazard’s initial fee—without the adds ons.

The club made a classy decision to allow the player to leave and yet, was able to maximize the return and then some. It was a great deal for Chelsea and the benefits just seem to keep on being realized by the club.

It would be nice to see the club fashion another such deal or two as it refashions itself. The reformation is proceeding nicely, hopefully, with a few more well-placed moves, Premier League and European glory await. The future looks brighter and brighter and Chelsea has Hazard to thank.