Chelsea star Eden Hazard has done little to dispel rumours that he could be leaving Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid in the summer and the Premier League side would face an unenviable task when trying to replace their talisman if he were to leave.
Hazard's importance to the Chelsea team cannot be underestimated as he has played a part in 22 of their 45 league goals so far, scoring 10 and laying on 12 assists. To lose Hazard to Real Madrid so soon after Thibaut Courtois swapped London for The Bernabeu last summer would be a hammer blow and it would be up to Roman Abramovich and co. to get the best deal possible.
It would perhaps be prudent to try and secure a player-plus-cash deal from Real. We take a look at three players who the La Liga side might be willing to let go...
Isco
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder would be an ideal addition to the Chelsea squad. He has endured a tough year by his own high standards as he has played just 15 league games for Real, scoring only one goal, and he could be deemed surplus to requirements in Spain after failing to nail down a regular first-team place.
Marco Asensio
The left-sided 23-year-old would be a genuinely exciting signing. The Spaniard is regarded as one of the most talented players in the Spanish set-up after impressing in recent seasons. Asensio, who made his return from injury recently, has scored one goal and laid on four assists in seventeen league appearances this term. Hardly ridiculous numbers but he is an outrageous talent for the future.
Gareth Bale
It seems unlikely but could the former Tottenham player be tempted by a move to Chelsea? The 29-year-old had a prime opportunity to replace Cristiano Ronaldo as the main man at Real Madrid this season but he went nine league games without scoring before suffering an injury in December. He has fallen well short of Ronaldo's ridiculously high standards during a below-par campaign for Real so far.
Injuries have been a recurring problem for the Welshman and he may be seen as a gamble by some Chelsea fans. Would it be a gamble worth taking?
The summer transfer window is likely to be huge for the short-term future of Chelsea - lose Hazard and they simply have to get the best deal possible by securing a replacement that would help appease the fans, as well as provide some hope for silverware in the future.
Never write him off
#HalaMadrid