Chelsea look to Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho to replace Eden Hazard

Chelsea are plotting a summer move for Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho as a potential replacement for Eden Hazard, reports Telefoot. (h/t Calciomercato)

Philippe Coutinho, 26, joined Barcelona in January 2018 from Liverpool but it has not been plain sailing at all the Nou Camp. He has scored 11 goals and supplied two assists in 47 appearances this season, thus struggling for consistency.

Due to his struggles at Barcelona, Chelsea want to bring the Brazilian back to the Premier League. The Blues are likely to lose Eden Hazard at the end of the season, with the Belgian having flirted with Real Madrid for a long time. (h/t Calciomercato)

And Coutinho, who has failed to live up to the lofty expectations of the Nou Camp faithful, is seen as a readymade replacement for Hazard.

However, the report says (h/t Calciomercato), if the south Londoners fail to land Coutinho, they will instead look to Lille star Nicolas Pepe, who has 19 goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1.

Pepe has been demolishing defences in the Ligue 1 this season and is currently one of Europe’s most sought-after players.

Although, any move for either Coutinho or Pepe will only happen if Chelsea win their appeal against the two-window transfer ban. The Blues have breached the rules surrounding the signing of the minors and are currently unable to sign any players this summer or next January after a Fifa ruling.

Coutinho could be a top addition for Chelsea

Chelsea primed to lose Hazard at the end of the season and should definitely look at Coutinho to replace the Belgian. Coutinho has Premier League experience, meaning he’ll be a risk-free signing for us.

The Brazil international has the qualities to thrive in Maurizio Sarri’s system at Stamford Bridge.