5 players whose stock could rise following the Champions League Round of 16

#2 Eden Hazard

A Champions League return to form for Eden Hazard could kickstart his season

Chelsea have been struggling in general as of late and Antonio Conte’s men seem to have a mountain to climb if they want to overcome current La Liga leaders Barcelona in the round of 16. But they do have an ace up their sleeve in the form of their mercurial Belgian star Eden Hazard. Hazard hasn’t been in form recently but that could be due to the way in which he’s been deployed.

With Alvaro Morata absent due to injury since mid-January, Conte has used Hazard as a false #9, which seems to have limited his abilities and also blunted Chelsea’s attack somewhat. The drop in form has meant Hazard’s stock has dropped somewhat too – worrying for a man who was linked with Real Madrid as recently as a couple of months ago.

With Olivier Giroud now part of Chelsea’s squad, however, it’s expected that Hazard will return to his more familiar role as a left-sided attacking midfielder. If he can return to his best form and shoot down Barcelona in the upcoming tie, then not only will his reputation rise to the point where he’s seen as one of the world’s best again but also if he wishes to leave Chelsea, then those links to Real are almost guaranteed to restart.