The conditions that could see Hazard go back to Chelsea
Robin Bairner
- 11 Oct 2021 21:51 BST
- 6 min read
Eden Hazard has been linked with a transfer back to Chelsea from Real Madrid, where he has endured a difficult period.
Beset by injury problems since he moved to the Bernabeu, Chelsea apparently timed the sale of Hazard perfectly.
With just a year remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge, the Blues recouped €100 million for the Belgium international in 2019.
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He has scarcely proven his worth while with Real Madrid. He only made his 50th appearance for the club in the 2-1 Champions League loss to Sheriff, while over that period he has mustered just five goals and a further nine assists.
It is a far cry from the player who was named the 2014/15 Premier League Player of the Season – just one of a myriad of individual achievements Hazard claimed over his career at Chelsea.
Why Madrid want rid of Hazard
Given these struggles, it is logical that Madrid might want Hazard off their roster, particularly as they are liable to sign Kylian Mbappe from PSG on a free transfer next summer. Such a deal would push Hazard down to third in the pecking order at the club, with Vinicius Jr having elevated himself above the Belgian in the meantime.
With Hazard nursing yet another injury problem, having sustained an issue against France in the Nations League, he is not justifying an extravagant salary of €470,000 per week.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are eager to cut their wage bill in order to make way for potential new arrivals in the summer of 2022. With Mbappe likely, they are also confident they could land Erling Haaland in what would be a transformative double swoop.
Gareth Bale will be released at the end of his deal in June in all likelihood, and if Hazard were to go too, that would give them plenty of scope to make signings.
Could Chelsea re-sign Hazard?
El Nacional reports that Chelsea have left the door open for Hazard and a move is favoured by all parties. Nevertheless, it is a distant prospect.
The Blues are shrewd operators in the transfer market and are unlikely to see the 30-year-old as value for money.
Firstly, Hazard earns more at Real Madrid than Chelsea’s top earner Romelu Lukaku gets at Stamford Bridge. The player would have to slash his wage demands or the transfer is a non-starter.
Furthermore, Real Madrid would have to agree to release him from his deal, which runs until 2024 or sell him for a nominal fee. It simply is not worth paying a big fee for a player with a recent injury like Hazard’s.
On the flip side, if both of these conditions were met, a transfer is not impossible.
Chelsea do not have a player who has convinced in an attacking wide-left area this season, with Timo Werner’s minutes slashed. Moreover, Hazard can also operate as a more central attacking midfielder, which would give Thomas Tuchel a more experienced option besides Mason Mount and Kai Havertz.
The chances of the stars aligning and Hazard moving back to Chelsea from Real Madrid are slim, but there could be a certain logic to it if the price was right.
