It’s been a tough 24 hours for Chelsea fans, with news emerging – via the Telegraph – that Eden Hazard could be ready to tell Chelsea that he wants to leave the club at the end of the season. Losing the Belgian would be a hammer blow for the club, given just how important he’s been to the Blues since his arrival back in 2012
Make no mistake, Chelsea will be worse off without Hazard in the team. There’s no way around that.
However, it’s not all bad. Whilst most will likely be worrying about the prospect of replacing him, it’s becoming somewhat clear that they may already have the ideal replacement – Christian Pulisic.
Of course, Pulisic is set to move to Chelsea this summer from Borussia Dortmund, and whilst he hasn’t had the incredible season that Hazard has enjoyed this term, that doesn’t mean that the American isn’t up to the task.
Indeed, he shares many of the same traits as Chelsea’s Belgian maestro. He’s quick and agile, he’s a fantastic dribbler, and he’s at his best when cutting in and driving towards goal from the left-hand side of the attack.
His qualities were on display for Dortmund on Tuesday evening against Werder Bremen, where the American bagged a brilliant goal in extra-time. Picking the ball up around the half-way line, he ducked and dived and passed the ball around – and finished the move with a brilliant deft finish into the bottom corner. If he was wearing a blue shirt, you could be forgiven for thinking that it was Eden Hazard himself.
Is he the finished article? Certainly not, but he’s getting there, and it makes no sense for Chelsea to spend big bringing someone else in if Pulisic can do the same job. Throw in Callum Hudson-Odoi, Wilian and Pedro – and Chelsea have enough to cover Hazard’s loss.
Thoughts?
