5 players who can replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea

Ever since Eden Hazard joined Chelsea from Lille there have been constant rumors about him leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid. Now at the age of 27, he has won two Premier Leagues, one Carabao Cup, and one Europa League with the Stamford Bridge side.

This season, he has impressed a lot with his dribbling skills and he has scored 15 goals and has four assists, even after being absent at the beginning of the season due to an ankle injury.

With Cristiano Ronaldo potentially reaching the twilight of his career, it has been suggested that Real are ready to make a move for the talented Belgian winger. With his contract running down in 2020, Chelsea is keen to tie him down to a long-term deal.

It is no secret that Zinedine Zidane is a huge admirer and Hazard has previously publicly stated that Zidane is his idol.

If reports are believed to be true, Real are considering a bid for the Chelsea star next season and they will generate funds by offering a cash plus player deal.

If Hazard leaves, the Blues will have to dig deep in the transfer market because his departure will leave a big hole in the forward line as they mainly rely on him to produce that bit of magic when they are in trouble.

Replacing him won't be only about his position in the team, it will be more about replacing a talisman.

Here we look at 7 players who can replace him at Chelsea:

#5 Nabil Fekir (Lyon)

Nabil Fekir has been the talisman for a very young Lyon side

The Lyon captain has been in scintillating form this season, and as a result, he has been linked with many top clubs around Europe. He is an academy graduate who made his debut in 2013.

In his second year, he became a regular for the team and was named as Ligue 1's Young Player of the Year.

Aged 24, he is the captain of a youthful Lyon team and many have argued that he is even more valuable than Neymar who can count on the support of superstars like Kylian Mbappé, Edinson Cavani, Thiago Silva, and Di Maria; Fekir has to carry this young side on his own.

He has already scored 21 goals this season from 32 appearances and his strongest attribute is his versatility.

He has played in various positions as a central midfielder, winger and even a false nine at times. He is very much a complete attacker and since the time he has been made captain. he has added more consistency to his game.

Fekir is an excellent dribbler and he is also not shy in big games. He has scored crucial goals for Lyon this season against some big teams. He scored from freekicks against PSG and Marseille and scored the winner against Monaco in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

It is no wonder that he has been constantly linked with the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, and Liverpool. It is clear though that any club trying to sign him will have to pay a huge sum given his importance to the team.

#4 Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)

Insigne was a transfer target for Chelsea last season.

Insigne has already scored nine goals and further provided six assists for Napoli this season. He has been very influential for the current Serie A leaders as they look to end Juventus' dominance in Italian football.

The Italian international plays in a similar role like Hazard on the left-hand side of the attack and he also possesses good dribbling ability.

Not only he is a good dribbler, but an excellent crosser of the ball as well. He has shown brilliant off-the-ball movement and his fluid ability of combination play make him an ideal replacement for Chelsea's current talisman.

Also, Antonio Conte previously worked with him during his two-year stint with the Italian national team and knows him very well. It has been reported that Insigne was also a transfer target for Chelsea last season.

Though it will be very difficult to prise him away from the Stadio San Paolo, if Hazard leaves, Chelsea will have plenty of cash to spend and could tempt him to join the side.

#3 Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Wilfried Zaha style of play is very similar to Eden Hazard.

The Crystal Palace talisman was the last signing made by legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He lasted just one season at United and he was loaned back to Crystal Palace after which he rejoined them permanently.

He is scoring and creating crucial goals for Palace and was the catalyst in Chelsea's surprise defeat at Stamford Bridge last season, where he scored the equalizer and set up Christian Benteke's winning goal.

Again this season when the Blues faced Palace at Selhurst Park, he again the defence apart and scored the winner.

His playing style is very similar to Hazard as he is very direct in his dribbling. He enjoys attacking the defenders with skill and trickery and he has rescued Palace many times like Hazard has done for Chelsea.

Zaha is valued around £35m and it seems a reasonable price tag considering how important he has been to Palace in recent seasons.

He has been playing in the premier league for more than four seasons and has plenty of experience at the age of 25.

If he moves to Stamford Bridge, he could prove to be good value for money since he is only 25 and his best years are yet to come and his dribbling style of play makes him a good replacement for the Belgian maestro.

#2 Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)

Asensio has been a match winner for Real Madrid.

Last season, Marcos Asensio had his breakthrough season with Real Madrid and he has continued his fine form this season as well though his chances have been limited.

The youngster is highly rated at the Santiago Bernabéu and at the age of 22, many see him as the future of the club.

According to reports Asensio has reportedly threatened to quit Los Blancos if Hazard joins. The Spanish international wants more game time and there were reportedly numerous offers available for him in the summer transfer window.

But Chelsea is thought to be leading contenders to sign the former Mallorca winger. Having negotiated Alvaro Morata's transfer last summer, Chelsea seems to have a good relationship with Real.

Replacing Hazard is not only about tactical position or style of play, but it is about replacing a talisman. Asensio has proved that he can make the difference in big matches and at crucial times.

If the Blues sign Asensio, they will be getting a budding superstar who is also a proven match winner.

#1 Isco (Real Madrid)

Isco has plenty of experience at the top level of football.

Isco is considered to be one of the best-attacking midfielders right now and his impressive CV of 1 La Liga, 3 Champions Leauge, 1 Copa Del Rey and 3 Club World Cups speaks for itself.

Last season his performances were so impressive that manager Zidane broke up the famous BBC trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo in order to accommodate him.

This season, he has been criticized for being selfish and many Madridistas believe that the team plays much better when he is not in the starting line up.

Diario Gol has reported that Real Madrid has tabled a cash-plus-player swap deal for the Belgian wizard, who is yet to renew his contract at Chelsea. It is believed that Los Blancos have offered the Spaniard as part of the deal.

It is no secret that the Madrid midfielder is very good friends with Chelsea's record signing Morata who could influence Isco's decision to join him at Stanford Bridge.

According to reports, Isco is frustrated having lost his place in the first team this season and he has apparently fallen out with the management at the club.

The Spanish international is a very good dribbler and at the age of 25, he has plenty of experience playing at the top level and can get better. If Hazard leaves, the former Malaga player is more than capable of replacing him.