In the last few months, there has been one rumour after the other linking Eden Hazard to a move to Real Madrid or PSG. As the Evening Standard reported, Hazard has already said it would be hard to turn down PSG and he has said he would like to play under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid so is it only a matter of time before a deal is announced?

This report if true will be disappointing on many fronts. One, the Belgian is worth a huge amount despite his poor season and secondly, it is disappointing to hear of him talking about playing for other top clubs. Which if true, could be perceived as a lack of respect to Chelsea and its fans. Unfortunately that’s the current state of world football.

A few days ago, Guus Hiddink said he has never seen a player’s form drop so drastically like Hazard’s has done and it is hard to understand. Maybe he has his body with Chelsea but his mind with Madrid? Regardless, every Chelsea fan will agree Hazard could well leave the club this summer if Real Madrid comes for him. We will never know what charm Los Blancos use but players from ages past have not been able to reject them. Hazard may not be an exception and even the most positive Chelsea fan accepts this for a fact.

However, Chelsea needs to do everything to ensure they get the best price for the Belgian. If Real Madrid could play £70 million for James Rodriguez and are now demanding a £60 million for him after a poor season, Hazard should command almost the same or at least £55 million.

With Hazard still having 4 years to run on his contract, Chelsea are in the position of strength and can afford to reject any derisory offers from Real Madrid or PSG. Chelsea could work towards getting a swap deal done. With James Rodriguez said to be unsettled with Real Madrid, Chelsea may have a good chance of signing the Colombian in a swap deal.

James Rodriguez is a class act just as Hazard but has lost form. With Real Madrid looking favourably disposed to moving the South American, Chelsea’s deal makers should ensure they get full value for Hazard should he end up moving although the incoming boss Antonio Conte thinks he can get Hazard back to his best form and keeping Eden Hazard may be the best bit of business Chelsea do this summer.