Eden Hazard is a winger who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his spell as a player at Chelsea, producing countless moments of quality and leading them to various trophies.
The Belgian moved to Stamford Bridge back in 2012, costing a whopping £32m from Ligue 1 side Lille – a bargain given his achievements and subsequent departure.
He notched 110 goals and 78 assists in his 352 appearances for the Blues, winning six major honours during his seven years as a player in West London.
Hazard scored twice in the Europa League final against Arsenal, helping the club claim the title, before departing in a £150m deal to join Real Madrid.
However, nearly six years on from his transfer, they’ve been unable to land a replacement for the now-retired star, but that could be about to change with a move for one player.
Chelsea plot summer move for PL talent
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are targeting a move for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish this summer, to try and bolster their already potent forward line.
The 29-year-old cost a staggering £100m in 2021, but has fallen down the pecking order in recent months, making just six Premier League starts under Pep Guardiola in 2024/25.
The report claims that the defending league champions would be open to allowing him to depart this summer, but no fee has been touted for his services.
Whilst it may seem a far-fetched comparison to Hazard, his dribbling ability has caught the eye in recent years, completing 1.9 successful dribbles per 90 this campaign – cutting inside onto his right foot off the left-hand side.
Whilst it’s unclear how much he could cost this summer, it could be a superb deal for a player needing to get his career back on track, but he’s still managed to outperform one player despite his lack of minutes.
Why Grealish would be an upgrade on Sancho for Chelsea
Winger Jadon Sancho has been a man in the spotlight over recent weeks, with it emerging that Chelsea could pay a £5m fee to send him back to Manchester United at the end of the season.
The Englishman originally moved on loan with an obligation to buy for £25m this summer, but he’s failed to deliver in the capital, leading to questions about his future.
He’s only managed to notch one goal contribution in 2025 to date, with boss Enzo Maresca potentially wanting another talent to fill the void off the left-hand side.
Given the murmurs around the former Dortmund’s stars future, it’s no surprise to see the links with Grealish, offering another option as the club look to return to Premier League glory.
When comparing the pair’s respective stats from 2024/25, the City star has managed to outperform the loanee, highlighting how much of a phenomenal addition he would be for the Blues.
Games played
16
23
Goals & assists
1
6
Progressive carries
9.7
5.2
Progressive passes
6.3
4.5
Shot-on-target accuracy
31%
22%
Pass accuracy
87%
83%
Take-on success
52%
51%
Carries into final third
2.7
1.8
Grealish, who’s previously been labelled “superb” by Statman Dave, has managed to complete more progressive carries per 90, whilst achieving a higher take-on success rate – following in Hazard’s footsteps in the process.
He’s also managed to achieve a higher shot-on-target rate, whilst completing more carries into the final third, showcasing the threat he possesses when getting into attacking areas.
His lack of action may put supporters off a deal for the 29-year-old, but despite his decline in minutes, he’s proven he still has the skillset to operate at the top level of English football.
It’s a risk worth taking, especially considering how much better he’s been than Sancho this season, with a deal for Grealish potentially ending their hunt for a new winger in Maresca’s squad.
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