Chelsea are in for a big summer after the disappointments this season in all competitions but for the FA Cup and according to former manager Glenn Hoddle.
Hazard’s performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup final prompted talk of his future with his current deal set to expire in 2020.
The Belgium international seems a cut above his teammates at the club now and is currently the best player at the club irrespective of the performances of others. He proves that year after year and finished this season as the Blues’ top scorer in all competitions.
Hoddle believes Hazard is “absolutely crucial” to Chelsea at the moment, and with Real Madrid linked with a move for him in the coming summer, the Chelsea great wants Chelsea to tie him down to a new deal as quickly as possible or slowing a potential deal that sends him away from the club.
“If keeping [Antonio] Conte may be beneficial to Chelsea, keeping Eden Hazard is absolutely crucial. He’s the most important person in the Chelsea dressing room going forward and the Cup final proved that.
“Hazard was excellent, even though I’ve seen him play better, he was able to get away from Ander Herrera and we saw the consequences when Phil Jones brought him down for the vital penalty. The biggest European clubs would have been watching. I know Barcelona look likely to sign Antoine Griezmann but you could see Hazard fitting in at Real Madrid. He isn’t Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo but for me he’s among the top five players in the world, he has that X-factor that causes danger every time he’s on the ball.
“If Gareth Bale leaves Madrid, you could see them wanting Hazard, and it’s vitally important Chelsea don’t allow that to happen and make the kind of signings that will want him to say. It’s even bigger than keeping Conte. The problem for Chelsea is that their current squad is not good enough to compete in the Champions League and Premier League. Manchester City can do it, Chelsea can’t, and that’s why you’ve had these seasons where the Premier League form is poor if they are in Europe.”
Glenn Hoddle, Daily Mail
