Chelsea

Ray Wilkins 'cannot imagine' Chelsea without Eden Hazard

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 16 February 2018

Wilkins 'can't imagine' Chelsea without Hazard

Ray Wilkins insists that Chelsea simply cannot afford to lose Eden Hazard to Real Madrid in the summer as he is the biggest difference maker in the side.

Former Chelsea player and coach Ray Wilkins has urged the club to go all out to keep "exceptional" forward Eden Hazard out of Real Madrid's clutches.

The 27-year-old is reportedly a long-term target for Zinedine Zidane at Madrid, particularly having clicked back into gear of late with six goals in as many matches.

Hazard hinted last week that he would be open to joining Los Blancos in the future, but Wilkins claims that life without the Belgian at Stamford Bridge is unthinkable because of his importance.

"I couldn't even think of it, to be perfectly honest. We've got to keep Hazard at Stamford Bridge," he told Sky Sports News. "There's lots of people who pay lots of money to go and watch Chelsea play. You've got to keep the best players there and Hazard is one of the best. He's one of the best in the world.

"Special players who can just change games in a flash - you've got [Cristiano] Ronaldo, you've got [Lionel] Messi and you've got Hazard. He's a joy to watch. He is sensational. You get special players and I think Hazard is just one of those that has cropped up.

"I'm a season ticket holder at Chelsea, I'm a Blue, and to watch him play is something exceptional over the last couple of years. [Antonio] Conte has allowed him to do his thing. He's one of those guys, when you watch him play, he looks like he's really enjoying himself.

"When he gets on the ball, you think 'wow, something's going to happen now'. He'll eliminate people in the middle of the pitch, he'll create chances. He's just a fantastic footballer."

Hazard, named PFA Player of the Year in 2015, has 15 goals and four assists overall for Chelsea this season.