The announcement, yesterday, relating to Zinedine Zidane making a return to Real Madrid, could be worrying news for Chelsea supporters.
With our jewel-in-the-crown, Eden Hazard’s future still to be confirmed, the prospect of Zidane becoming Chelsea’s manager, albeit based on speculation, had given us all hope that the 28-year-old might stay at Stamford Bridge, after all the Belgian international had always inferred he would like to play for a player who he considered to be his hero in his younger days.
Thoughts that Hazard might be leaving are also strengthened by the prospect of Zidane having been given a huge summer transfer chest of circa £300 million, which would allow Chelsea to cash-in and receive a huge bounty for their star performer.
But, although the transfer fee might be some kind of compensation, if Chelsea decide that Hazard, in accordance with his wishes, can go, the two-window transfer ban will mean that Chelsea would be able to bank the money but not spend it on a suitable replacement.
However, returning to the scenario of the two-window transfer ban, Chelsea might decide to keep Hazard on their books but that too would create a problem.
If Hazard stays another season then he’ll become a free agent and Chelsea would then see their prize asset walk out of the Stamford Bridge gates on a free transfer.
So what do Chelsea do?
Sell Hazard this summer and make do with those we already have but weakening our attacking intent considerably?
Or do they hang on, get the best out of Hazard for another year and lose him for nothing at the end of next season but, perhaps, hoping another season could see Callum Hudson-Odoi mature enough to become Hazard’s replacement?
Please feel free to offer your viewpoint on the above subject matter in the comment facility beneath this article.
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