Date: 15th January 2019 at 4:25pm
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The future of our Belgian international, Eden Hazard, continues to intrigue me.

Whilst I’d sincerely like to see the 28-year-old put pen-to-paper on a new contract, I fear any such deal is now further away than ever.

To convince Eden to remain at Stamford Bridge, I’d have thought the plan was to appease the most talented player we have in the squad.

But Chelsea appear to be doing anything but that.

Without a world-class striker in the squad, with Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata not quite reaching that label, Hazard has been forced to play in the false number 9 position.

It’s a position he can play but it’s plain to see he’s far more effective in his normal wide position and coming in off the flank to terrorise defenders.

Also, if Hazard is to be convinced that Chelsea can retain their former prowess and compete for not only the Premier League but also the Champions League, I’d suggest the Belgian isn’t particularly happy with the manner in which Chelsea, in the past eighteen months, have acted in the transfer market. This could lead to Chelsea becoming an also-ran surely?

Conte saw fit to sell Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic, neither of whom have been adequately replaced, whilst Sarri has acquired Jorginho who many believe has reduced the effect the wonderful Kante has on games.

Then, of course, we look at the striker farce.

Are we really to believe that Eden is impressed with Chelsea’s apparent obsession with bringing the ageing Higuain to the club?

Today, lurking in the pages of the media source, The Telegraph is the inference that if Hazard, cometh the end of the season, does decide that he’d prefer life at Real Madrid as opposed to prolonging his career at Stamford Bridge, then Chelsea will ask for a transfer fee of £100 million.

Now, once upon a time, I’d have said that is some price, but in an era when transfer fees over over-inflated then if that is the asking price then Real Madrid will be getting an absolute bargain.

However, would it surprise you in the least if Chelsea were to fritter away that fee on mediocre, run-of-the-mill replacements?

Worrying times ahead for our beloved football club if you ask me.

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