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Hazard`s Departure Bodes Grimly For CFC

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Just like the departure of Antonio Conte this spring, Eden Hazard`s also seems guaranteed.

It`s been brewing for several seasons to be honest, with the fact of the brilliant Belgian stalling over the gift of a vast pay-rise being all we really need to know regarding his appetite to stay in SW6.

To be fair to a player head and shoulders better than the rest of the Chelsea squad – and among the world`s very best – CFC have left nothing for their superstar to be excited about at Stamford Bridge.

Appointing Conte, a world-class manager who knows nothing but winning, turned out to be a brilliant move. Accordingly, last season Hazard buzzed under the Italian maestro`s urging.

This season`s Groundhog Day return to the mood of 2015/16 can have done nothing but frustrate and deeply dispirit number 10.

The only way to keep a player of Hazard`s genius is to ‘do a Man City` and surround him with players who at least approach the same class, players that will help him raise his game and grow as a player.

Instead, both Eden and his many advisors have been given the crystal clear message that there is to be absolutely nothing new at Chelsea for the little star to look forward to.

As I often say, football players read the papers too – and this piece in last Sunday`s Times will have confirmed for Hazard and co all they need to know about CFC`s ambitions.

It`s impossible to discern any true strategy at the club, other than the owner`s desire to have it as his plaything and woe betide anybody who gets in the way.

Anybody with even half an eye to strategy could see that the imminent Hazard departure outcome was inevitable.

He has certainly neither achieved enough nor is he old enough to want to be a role model or mentor or just go through the motions and the money.

No, these are the crucial, best years of his career.

This summer Eden will ruthlessly and rightly pursue the best possible stage for his further development (preferably one where the referees protect him better), and one that – with respect – includes elements slightly superior to the likes of Danny Drinkwater and Ross Barkley.

Hazard`s departure is only half of the issue facing Chelsea.

The club`s transfer gurus (lol!) have shown world-class ineptitude in bringing in top class players; recently, when failing to get anywhere such players, they`ve even tried the comical ‘solution` of buying several cheaper players instead.

It`s mindboggling, really.

It`s also deeply dispiriting to imagine a lightweight like Enrique (or whoever will soon be following him) dealing with advanced challenges such as filling Wembley or wherever else the team will have to play during Stamford Bridge development work, without any genuine stars.

Much as I`d love to wish Enrique – and every other one of the three or four Chelsea managers over the next five years – good luck, at this Chelsea, luck doesn’t come into it.


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