Chelsea star Eden Hazard has been moved back to his preferred role on the left wing following the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain in January, but will that be enough to keep him in the long haul?
Having grown frustrated at playing through the middle, Hazard is now back where he can make a real impact for the Blues. However, another upturn in his performances will only attract more interest, and the Belgian has always been open about the possibility of leaving.
Even his manager, Maurizio Sarri, this week revealed that he would not stand in the way should the forward want to leave.
"Eden is 28. If he wants to go, I think he has to go,' Sarri said ahead of the defeat at Bournemouth.
"Of course, I hope for the opposite, I hope he wants to stay here. He has the potential to be the best player in Europe at the moment."
One thing is for certain, despite having signed Christian Pulisic ahead of next season, Chelsea will be eyeing up potential replacements from across world football.
Christian Pulisic
Perhaps the US international was signed with this in mind?
Chelsea secured Pulisic’s services with a £57.5m move, but he has been loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the season. He will join up with his Chelsea team-mates in the summer.
Hirving Lozano
Certainly a cheaper option for Chelsea than Pulisic, but nonetheless a viable one.
The Mexican, nicknamed ‘Chucky’, is comfortable on either wing and is currently enjoying a fine season in Chelsea’s favourite breeding ground, the Eredivisie. The 23-year-old has ten goals in 13 League starts this season and scored the opener in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the Champions League.
He has already spoken of his admiration for Manchester United and Barcelona, but with Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio backing him to make an impact in the Premier League, his fearless and tenacious approach to taking opponents on would be a delight for Sarri.
Leon Bailey
One name which has been tied to Chelsea for some time now. The Blues kept a keen eye on the winger over the summer while the future of Willian was up in the air following a fallout with Antonio Conte, but it may be the case that they turn to the Bayer Leverkusen star to replace an even bigger name.
Bailey’s representatives have insisted that they respect the German side but, upon interest from Italian outfit Roma in July, admitted it would be foolish not to listen to a club of that stature, and the same would apply to Chelsea.
Lorenzo Insigne
A natural choice with nearly 140 games played under the tutelage of Sarri, the Napoli forward appears and ideal fit to replace Hazard at Stamford Bridge. A player who, like the Belgian, has an insatiable appetite for drifting in from the left and, frankly, causing havoc, the Italian appears to be an ideal, if expensive, choice.
There is no doubt, too, that he would be high on Sarri’s list should he have to go on the hunt for a replacement.
Thorgan Hazard
Why not keep it in the family, eh? 25-year-old Thorgan may not have quite the mercurial talent of his older brother, but he would be a fine alternative should Chelsea be pushed for a replacement.
Since leaving the club for Borussia Monchengladbach permanently in 2015, the winger has become a fixture of the national squad alongside his brother and has already been involved in 13 goals in 12 Bundesliga appearances this season.
With Chelsea having first refusal on any deal, it could be an easy option should things get a little tight in west London next summer.
