Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly believes the club would be able to replace Eden Hazard amid strong transfer links with Real Madrid.
The Belgian is enjoying another fantastic season at Stamford Bridge and has been heavily linked with a summer move to Real Madrid. Real boss Zinedine Zidane is a long-term admirer of Hazard and could hold transfer talks with President Florentino Perez this week as the pair decides its plans for 2018.
However, if the 26-year-old ever leaves Chelsea, Desailly is confident that the club would recover, just as they did when stars previously left west London.
“We are still in the season, no player is more important than the club,” Desailly was quoted in a report by Goal.
“Even when Drogba left, one of the great players, the spirit of the club continued. They continued to win.
“We will be sad if Hazard has to go but I am sure that Roman Abramovich is still passionate about the club. He will bring in another player that can allow the club to be at the same level again,” he added.
Hazard has been a livewire since returning from injury, having scored 8 goals in 21 matches in all competitions for Chelsea this season so far. Following the disappointing defeat last weekend at West Ham, Antonio Conte needed a reaction and Hazard was the catalyst in their 3-1 away win against Huddersfield Town in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Reports linking Hazard with a move to Madrid have refused to go away though, with the Belgium international himself admiring Zidane. The Real manager has spoken highly of the Belgian international in the past – and the feeling is mutual.
On Zidane, Hazard said:
“Everyone knows the respect I have for Zidane as a player, but also as a manager. He was my idol.
“I do not know what will happen in the future. However, for sure, to play under Zidane would be a dream.”
Despite his open admiration for the Frenchman, Hazard has also previously stated that he was enjoying life in London.
“I have always been like that. From the moment things are going well. When you change, it’s because it’s not going well,” the ex-Lille star was quoted in a report by Metro.
“If in your job it’s great and you’re the boss, do you move? Why would you move? You’re not going to change [if it’s going well], right?
Let’s hope Hazard doesn’t have his head turned by the interest from Real Madrid.