Premier League 2019-20: 3 ways in which Eden Hazard's departure has benefited Chelsea 

#1 They were rewarded handsomely for his sale

Real Madrid paid a club-record fee to sign Hazard

Over the last two years the overwhelming consensus had been that Hazard had outgrown Chelsea. While the club struggled to come to grips with the reduction in binge-spending by their owner and the rise of new superpowers like Manchester City and Liverpool, Hazard was growing from strength to strength in an individual capacity.

This difference in trajectory between the two meant that it was always a matter of time before Hazard joined the Spanish giants. And Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in the summer of 2018 seemingly paved the way for the Belgian to complete a lifelong dream.

A contract impasse between both parties saw Hazard end last season with just one year left on his contract. It was in Chelsea's best interests to sell him off rather than run the risk of losing him for free next year.

As it happened, Real Madrid's desperation to sign the Belgian led to them breaking their club record fee by paying €100m for his signature.

This figure represents the highest amount received by a Premier League side for a player. And the fact that Chelsea could potentially have lost him for free had he run down his contract made the deal a no-brainer for the club.

Hazard's mind, soul and body were set on a transfer to Real Madrid. And having given Chelsea his all for seven years, no one could begrudge him for fulfilling his dreams.

As it turned out, Chelsea got a good deal out of the transaction too. The princely sum received by the club can be reinvested into strengthening the squad once they serve out their transfer ban.