It is difficult to imagine Chelsea without Eden Hazard. The Belgian playmaker has been central to virtually everything the Blues have done well since signing from Lille in 2012, although rumours continue to swirl as the Premier League outfit bid to keep hold of their most prized asset.
Barely a day goes by without a new rumour surrounding the future of Hazard and it would be a frightening prospect for Chelsea fans to ponder life without the 28-year-old.
And yet, Hazard could be forgiven for contemplating his next career move as he has carried the significant weight of Chelsea on his stocky frame for too long now, particularly under Maurizio Sarri this season.
The fabled 'Sarri Ball' has yet to really catch on as Chelsea's style of football has been almost completely dependent on a moment of magic from Hazard, who has scored 10 goals and laid on 10 assists in the Premier League this season. Pedro is the next-highest contributor of Chelsea's goals and assists with seven and one respectively.
As it stands, Hazard has been involved in 50 per cent of Chelsea's league goals this season. Furthermore, Hazard has either scored or set up a Chelsea goal in the top-flight every 83 minutes he has been on the pitch this term.
Of Chelsea's last eleven goals in the league, Hazard has been involved in nine of them! He's dragging his teammates along and for what - a possible fourth place finish?
It comes as no surprise to see that Hazard has been linked with a £100m move away from Stamford Bridge.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea will put a £100m price tag on Hazard's head if he decides he wants to move to Real Madrid, despite the fact he only has a year left on his current contract.
In reality, a move this summer would be ideal for Hazard, assuming Real Madrid can move on from a disappointing campaign that currently sees them languishing in fourth place in the La Liga table. Real might not be the most attractive of propositions right now as they continue to rebuild following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid last summer, but Hazard is approaching his 30's and this could be an ideal opportunity to make one last big move while still at the peak of his powers.
The challenge for Hazard would be to become the man who replaces Ronaldo as the talisman at The Bernabeu. It is a challenge that would be too good for most to turn down, while Chelsea fans could be forgiven for wondering what it means for their own club's hopes of reliving glory days of old.
It's only January
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