Chelsea’s Belgian champion, Eden Hazard, will be looking to forward to Chelsea’s round of sixteen clash against Barcelona with much anticipation.
Hazard has been on a mission this season, as the Belgian has been trying to make an obvious attempt to impose himself on matches, and show everyone that he is one of the very best players in the world today.
But there has been a growing sense that Hazard’s time at Chelsea is coming to a close, as the attacking midfielder may feel that he has achieved everything that he could at the London club.
If he were to leave England, Hazard harbours hopes of playing in the famous all whites of Real Madrid. Los Blancos are also quite interested in Hazard, as they see him as a realistic alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo.
This is what Liverpool legend Souness had to say about Hazard’s potential departure,
“The damage Eden Hazard does to Barcelona in Chelsea’s last-16 meeting with the Catalan club in the Champions League could determine whether Real Madrid make a summer move for him,” Souness told the Sunday Times.
“How many possible replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo are out there — players who start from the left then drift in to create chances and score goals? Neymar, perhaps, if he is already tired of French football, and Hazard.
“The Belgian has just turned 27 and is six years younger than Ronaldo. He fits the bill for Real and, if they really want him, there is only one outcome.
“They will be in the market for the very best that might be available this summer and he comes into that category. Hazard will be aware Real will be looking at how he performs against Barça because their head-to-heads against them usually decide who wins La Liga.
“To have any hope of keeping Hazard, and maybe Thibaut Courtois too, Chelsea must be in the Champions League next season.
“With Antonio Conte clearly disenchanted as their manager, they have a fight on their hands to finish in the top four and will have to be at their best to stand any chance against Barcelona.
“They need Hazard bang at it, Courtois making special saves and everyone else chipping in.”
Barcelona are also looking at Hazard as possible alternative if Dembele leaves in the summer, which is why the Belgian could be subject to a huge transfer battle in the summer.
