‘Chelsea will be lost without Hazard’

Eden Hazard has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer and with time those rumours will only get louder. But Emmanuel Petit believes that Chelsea will find it very tough next season if the maverick Belgian leaves the club.

“For the last six years he has been marvellous for them – and this season has been one of his best so far, even if he wasn’t named in the Premier League team of the year. Chelsea have so many quality players, but none at Hazard’s level. He can do whatever he wants on the pitch and is capable of making decisions with the ball at his feet. Hazard going to Real Madrid would be a huge step for him – and he deserves it”, Petit said.

“But with the added complication of a transfer ban, if he goes then you look at Chelsea and wonder who is going to make the team alive on the pitch. Who is going to come up with the key dribbles, the key passes? Chelsea don’t have anyone else like Hazard. And because of the transfer ban, they don’t have the power to replace him. I don’t see how they can cope next year without him.”