Barnes Explains How Chelsea Could Emulate Liverpool If Hazard Sale Goes Ahead

Barnes Explains How Chelsea Could Emulate Liverpool If Hazard Sale Goes Ahead

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Chelsea could actually improve as a team if Eden Hazard leaves for Real Madrid at the end of the season.

The future of the Belgian star has yet to be confirmed but with just one year left on his contract, a move to the Bernabeu is looking increasingly likely.

Barnes believes the Blues could learn from how Liverpool sold Philippe Coutinho and emerge stronger despite the loss of a talismanic figure:

“I think they need to get away from Eden Hazard. I think Liverpool when Coutinho left, they were a much better team.”

“I think Hazard influences the team so much that anywhere he goes you have to give him the ball. They’ve got good players and they can’t show their worth.”

It must be said though that the Reds reinvested the £142m from Coutinho’s sale into the signings of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson.

Chelsea may not be in the same position if their transfer ban remains in place. An appeal against their transfer window embargo is still being heard by FIFA.

The club can, though, still sell players with Hazard reportedly a top target for Real manager Zinedine Zidane, who is seeking to revamp his squad this summer.