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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Vaishali Bhardwaj

Didier Drogba: Chelsea 'legend' Eden Hazard can't be replaced

Didier Drogba has described Eden Hazard as a Chelsea legend who is so "special" he cannot be replaced at Stamford Bridge.

Hazard ended his seven-year stay at Chelsea earlier this month when he completed a £130m move to Real Madrid, with the Belgian seeking a new challenge in his career.

The 28-year-old left Stamford Bridge having won several trophies with the Blues including two Premier League titles, a Europa League and an FA Cup title.

And Drogba, himself considered a legend at Chelsea, believes Hazard is such a talent that his former club will not be able to directly replace the Belgian star but will need to instead develop a player to take over from the 28-year-old.

"No one can replace Hazard, he is special," Drogba said during an Instagram Live on his account on Saturday. "But someone else will come, [and] step up.

"Eden Hazard is a legend at Chelsea. That's life, that's football."

Drogba also answered a question from a fan about who he thinks is the best candidate for the vacant managerial role at Chelsea.

And the ex-Chelsea striker backed his former teammate Frank Lampard, who is the front runner to take over from Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

When asked about the best person for the Chelsea job, Drogba said: "Well, the one who is in line to get the job, I think Frank Lampard.

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