Chelsea face a stern test this summer to keep the core of their title-winning side assembled, whilst seeking the necessary additions that will bolster the club’s depth and allow Antonio Conte’s side to battle on all fronts next season.

The Blues stormed to Premier League success this season, and could clinch a double if they beat Arsenal at Wembley this afternoon, but they face a challenge this summer as big clubs may look to swoop to lure some of their prized players away from Stamford Bridge.

Of the stars at Chelsea, Belgian ace Eden Hazard is arguably the most important and he has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent years, with manager Zinedine Zidane admitting he’s interested in the player.

With Hazard making his admiration for Zidane clear, as the Frenchman is a player he idolised growing up, it’s led to big concerns from Chelsea fans that their superstar could leave for the Santiago Bernabeu- but Hazard has played down the chances of that happening.

Quoted by The Daily Telegraph, Hazard revealed he wants to emulate Blues legend John Terry and become a leader at Stamford Bridge- suggesting he sees himself in West London for the long-term.

“Now I play my fifth year at Chelsea, you know we have some guys who have a lot of experience, so we are ready for that. We have a couple of leaders – I try to be one on the pitch. We have a lot of guys who can do that.””

“You know, I’m still young, I’m still 26. He (Terry) did something great in his career. I didn’t win a lot yet – I won a couple of titles, but him everything. I hope to have the same opportunities.”

“Players like Ronaldo and Messi are leaders. They are people that want to be better every day. That’s why they are at the top for the last 10 years. They need to prove – we all need to prove – every day, but I don’t think too much about that. I just concentrate on myself, on football, on the pitch, on the training ground. Then I will see.”

Hazard faces a huge year in the next 12 months as he enters the prime years of his career and he needs to prove himself in the Champions League and the World Cup if he is to truly be considered to be in the same category as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

For that to happen, Chelsea will have to compete for major honours in Europe once again and Belgium’s talented squad will have to perform in Russia- following on from their under-par performance in Brazil back in 2014.

Some may argue that Hazard needs a move to the likes of Barcelona or Real Madrid to fulfil his potential, so the pressure is on Chelsea to show they’re capable of reaching the heights of the Spanish giants.