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Eden Hazard has been on the verge of leaving Chelsea with the interest coming from Real Madrid and the transfer has been on the cards for some time now. Hazard is one of the best players in the league currently and has proved his qualities week after week at Chelsea showing the world what he's worth. A world-class talent with the potential to be the best player in the world, the Ballon d'Or might just be one club away from him.
Hazard joined Chelsea for reported £32 million in 2012 and made his competitive debut in the 2012 FA Community Shield against Manchester City wearing number 17 on his back. Since then, the Belgian midfielder has scored 82 times and assisted 50 times for the Blues in EPL 237 appearances. He won the Player of the Season award in 2014/15 and has been a peripheral figure for the club pulling out his side from difficult situations quite a few times.
With 13 goals in 29 matches this season, he has been absolutely crucial for the London side in their chase to the top 4. No wonder the club is so desperate to keep him with them.
But the Spanish giants are knocking at the door as they are seeking out a possible replacement for their ace star Cristiano Ronaldo who left the club in 2018 and joined Juventus. Playing for one of the biggest club in the world with a possibility to win the Champions League is irresistible, which intensifies the problems of Chelsea who are facing a transfer ban for 2 transfer windows after breaching the Article 19 set by FIFA.
If Hazard decides to leave Chelsea, here are the 10 players the London side could look up to in order to replace the Belgian after the transfer ban is served:
Also see : Fantasy Premier League , Fantasy Premier League Tips, EPL Transfer News
#5 Hirving Lozano
Hirving Lozano is a Mexican International right-footed winger, playing for the Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in Eredivisie. Just 23 of age, he's comfortable on either wing and often likes to cut inside with his right foot to take a pop at the goal.
Lozano has played 68 times for PSV and has scored 38 times while assisting 20 times in all competitions. His work ethic and greed for the ball stands out in every match. He played the whole match against VVV-Venlo in the league this month, scoring the only goal in the fixture while winning 1 aerial duel and completing 68% of passes. He was named Man of the Match and was given a generous rating of 8.73 for his contribution.
He is a sharp and prolific youngster with loads of potential and is ready to showcase it on a bigger scale. He carries a similar attitude as Hazard in the attacking sense with an engine attached on his back. Sarri's squad is missing a player who can drive through attacks and Lozano might just solve that problem for them. Chelsea should definitely make a move in order to seal his signature or they might see this promising youngster in a different colour shirt.
#4 Leon Bailey
Leon Bailey is a Jamaican footballer who plays for Bayer Leverkusen and is on his way to being the 'heir to Arjen Robben'. He is often compared to the Dutch legend due to a very similar game style. He is a left-footed wing player who likes to cut inside and take shots at the goalkeeper from time to time. At just 21, the Jamaican has made a reputation for himself in the world of modern football. Many of Europe's elite clubs are behind the youngster, Chelsea showing the most interest.
His quality is unquestionable and was witnessed by many when he tricked Sven Ulreich to score a top quality free kick against Bayern Munich and leading his team to victory over the reigning Bundesliga champions last month.
The Jamaican has scored 5 goals and assisted 3 times in 36 appearances this season for the club.
Chelsea is lacking attacking options and if Hazard decides to leave, they will be left with a huge void on the left flank. Bailey can be a good fit to fill that void and carry on Sarri's attacking game style. He is keen to leave the German side and move to a better club in order to fulfill his potential and Chelsea has an eye on him.
#3 Lorenzo Insigne
Lorenzo Insigne has made a real name for himself in the footballing world in his professional career, currently captaining the Napoli side. The 5 feet 4 inches long Italian is known for his speed, agility, creative skills through the right wing and accuracy from the free kicks. He has established himself as one of the greatest for the club already as he ranks seventh among S.S.C. Napoli players by the total number of appearances (289).
The 27-year-old Italian international has been instrumental in every way for his side, scoring 13 and assisting 6 times in 39 appearances for the club with an average passing percentage of 84.9% this season. His dedication and hard-working attitude is what makes him a desirable player and also gives him the edge over other players as he can fit in any squad and play at the best of his game.
Chelsea would need a player of his qualities to drive the squad if Hazard pushes himself out for transfer thus fitting in Sarri's squad perfectly.
#2 Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha is a well-known, reliable and proven Premier League player. Born in Ivory Coast, the 26-year-old has showcased his skills time after time in Crystal Palace and Manchester United outfit. He came up from the Crystal Palace academy and joined Manchester United for reported £10 million, Sir Alex Ferguson's last signing before retirement at the end of the season but eventually went back to the Eagles after not getting sufficient time off the bench.
Zaha's fancy game style is often judged as showboating but it has proved effective time after time. The lack of quality strikers around him makes him look like a not-so-good winger which provides his underrated nature. He has played 28 times for the Eagles and has scored 8 times while assisting 5 times. He has a decent record of 76.5% passing average, winning 5 Man Of The Match while maintaining a 7.16 average score throughout the season.
With his skills and an eye for the attack, he will prove to be the perfect replacement for Sarri if Hazard decides to leave, providing the same balance for the club.
#1 Phillippe Coutinho
Phillipe Coutinho is a world-class midfielder who has proven himself in the Premier League with Liverpool. He joined the Catalan side in 2018 after a hefty move from the English side and has been witnessing a form slump since. Coutinho has been attacked continuously by the media and critics for his poor display in LaLiga, which has plotted transfer rumours putting him under the radar of many elite clubs in Europe.
Coutinho has been underperforming this season scoring just 9 times and assisting 5 times in 42 outings for the Barcelona. His passing average has been commendable throughout the season with 88.2% but hasn't really made an impact on the side.
Things haven't been going according to the Brazilian which is why he is angling for a move lately. He has an amazing skill set with intricate passing sense and a very similar game-style to Hazard. He likes to cut inside from the left wing to take a pop at the keeper and has a pretty good accuracy from that range. His addition to the squad will be perfect for Sarri if Hazard decides to leave filling the void of an attacking talent completely.
