It’s no secret that Chelsea haven’t been afraid to splash the money for the reason that arrival of proprietor Todd Boehly again in Might 2022 – spending over £1.2bn on new signings within the course of.
The cash spent has allowed for a whole overhaul of the first-team squad, handing boss Enzo Maresca all of the instruments to be successful throughout his debut season on the helm in West London.
Numerous big-money attackers have arrived at Stamford Bridge over the past couple of years, with the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto up there with the most important charges spent on gamers through the American’s reign as proprietor.
The Ukrainian price the membership a whopping £88.5m, with Neto setting Boehly again around £54m after his shock summer season switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Nevertheless, neither have but been capable of attain the extent of 1 star who captured the hearts of the fanbase throughout his personal time as a participant with the Blues.
Eden Hazard’s time at Chelsea
Belgian winger Eden Hazard arrived at Chelsea again in the summertime of 2012 as an unknown amount to many, however shortly launched himself to the Blues devoted, quickly changing into a fan favorite.
He shortly caught the attention together with his direct dribbling potential, breezing previous many opposition gamers – together with his eye for aim additionally notable throughout his seven years on the Bridge.
Hazard registered a complete of 110 goals within his 352 appearances for the Blues, profitable six main trophies throughout his time in England, which incorporates two separate Europa League triumphs in 2013 and 2019.
The one aim that might sum up his expertise throughout his time with the Blues is his solo effort towards London rivals Arsenal, selecting the ball up simply contained in the opponent’s half earlier than shrugging off a number of gamers earlier than dinking the ‘keeper and slotting the ball dwelling.
He would subsequently go away the membership again in the summertime of 2019, joining Real Madrid in a £150m deal – a transfer that might see his profession quickly decline with accidents plaguing his time in Spain.
Nevertheless, it is going to by no means tarnish his legacy as a Chelsea participant, undoubtedly taking place as one of many best gamers of their current historical past – with no participant extra capable of flip a sport on its head like Hazard did.
Arguably, the membership have struggled to switch him 5 years on from his departure, however they may very well be handed a possibility to lastly finish their hunt in January with a transfer for one expertise.
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The participant who may very well be Chelsea’s subsequent Hazard
In accordance with reporter Graeme Bailey, Chelsea have sent scouts to maintain a detailed eye on Lyon winger Rayan Cherki over a possible transfer to Stamford Bridge.
Nevertheless, they aren’t alone of their pursuit of the French expertise, with fellow Premier League facet Newcastle United additionally firmly within the race for his signature.
The 21-year-old has loved an outstanding begin to the 2024/25 marketing campaign, registering two goals and three assists in his first 9 outings in all competitions.
Cherki has previously been compared to Hazard, with French soccer professional Jonathan Johnson beforehand saying:
“He’s a really thrilling expertise, any individual who appears to have an excellent profession forward of him. Equally to Eden Hazard when he first established himself in Ligue 1, he appears very technically expert, versatile, and he’s in all probability the very best younger participant to emerge from Lyon’s youth academy for a few years, probably even since Karim Benzema.”
Such a comparability could appear far-fetched, however when delving into his stats from the Europa League thus far this season, it’s clear he possesses critical expertise which might see the Blues land one other model of the Belgian.
In his three European outings this season, he’s averaged a staggering nine progressive passes per 90, together with 5 profitable take-ons – with each figures rating him throughout the prime 1% of gamers within the competitors. Hazard was one of many most interesting dribblers within the Premier League so the comparability begins to make sense right here.
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Rayan Cherki’s stats within the Europa League (2024/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Video games performed |
3 |
|
Objectives & assists |
3 |
|
Progressive passes |
9 |
|
Progressive carries |
6.2 |
|
Profitable take-ons |
5 |
|
Key passes accomplished |
5.8 |
|
By way of balls |
2.5 |
|
Take-on success |
71% |
|
Stats through FBref |
|
The “world-class” Cherki, as described by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, has additionally averaged 5.8 key passes and a pair of.5 by means of balls per 90, showcasing his potential to seek out teammates in attacking areas, doubtlessly benefitting the likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.
A go is taken into account progressive if the space between the start line and the subsequent contact is at the least 10 meters nearer to the opponent’s aim or any accomplished go into the penalty space.
While it’s unknown how a lot any potential deal would set Maresca’s facet again in January, it’s evident that he can be an excellent addition that might deliver added firepower in attacking areas.
His comparability to former fan-favourite Hazard would see him deliver large pleasure to Stamford Bridge within the membership’s hunt to return to a Champions League end this season.
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