After defeat to Tottenham at the weekend, Eden Hazard decided to brighten the mood of Chelsea fans by reminding them he could well be gone come the summer.
The Belgian, who will have a year remaining on his deal at the end of the season, admitted that there has been contact with French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the past but ruled out a move to Ligue 1 at this stage of his career.
While replacing a player of Hazard’s standing is near-impossible without the sort of financial backing Manchester City can call on, something Chelsea are no longer capable of matching, the west Londoners do have a few options they can consider.
Standard Sport runs you through five potential replacements for Eden Hazard…
Christian Pulisic
The Borussia Dortmund star has already admitted it is a dream for him to play in the Premier League, and comes ready made to deal with the pressures of English top-flight football.
Having joined the German giants as a teenager, Pulisic has already endured years of being the United States only hope, the one man upon whose shoulders their success lies. The 20-year-old feels the expectation on him at international level is perhaps a little over the top, but nonetheless accepts it and carries on.
Like Hazard, Pulisc will have just a year remaining on his contract come the end of the season and has conceded that there will have to be discussions over his future this summer. They would not be alone in any interest, but Chelsea would be hard to turn down for the young playmaker.
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.
