Chelsea face a potentially nightmarish summer in the transfer market – with Eden Hazard’s potential departure perhaps only the least of their worries.
Andreas Christensen has been quoted by Sport Witness as suggesting the Blues already know they won’t be successful with their appeal and will therefore not be looking to sell players this summer.
MORE: Chelsea star makes potentially key revelation over club’s transfer ban
Still, it looks increasingly difficult for Chelsea to keep Hazard as he nears the end of his contract, with Diario Gol among the sources saying the Belgium international does have his price as Real Madrid show a strong interest.
If the worst case scenario happens and Hazard leaves CFC while the club are hit with a transfer ban, here’s a look at eight players who could be brought in from the cold to help the west London giants through this difficult patch…
Callum Hudson-Odoi
One of the best young players in Europe at the moment, it’s criminal that Callum Hudson-Odoi hasn’t already been given more of a key role in Maurizio Sarri’s side.
The England international could be ideal to ensure Chelsea don’t miss Hazard without needing to spend a penny – just make sure to reject any bids that come in from him and give him a new contract!
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Another undervalued young player at Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek surely needs to be made automatic first choice in the Blues’ midfield next season.
Marca claim the future of loan signing Mateo Kovacic is up in the air due to the possible CFC transfer ban, but Loftus-Cheek is arguably better anyway. Let the Croatian go back to Real Madrid and make build around this guy.
Ethan Ampadu
Another hugely promising talent coming through at the Bridge, Ethan Ampadu needs to be given far more playing time soon, especially as Jorginho has hardly been that convincing in central midfield.
And yet the Italy international has been near-undroppable in the eyes of Sarri. Ampadu needs to be shown more faith next season, at the very least to just keep Jorginho on his toes.
Andreas Christensen
Not long ago seen as one of the best young defenders in Europe, Andreas Christensen’s career is now stalling at Chelsea.
With David Luiz nearing the end of his contract and Gary Cahill now seemingly out of the first-team picture, Christensen needs to be made first choice next season as it’s unlikely the club could find anyone quite that good for a reasonable price even if they weren’t banned from signing players.
Mason Mount
Perhaps not ready to be a starter week in, week out, there is still surely a role for the highly promising Mason Mount at Chelsea next season.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has looked an exciting prospect in his time on loan with Derby County this season, and it’s hard to believe he won’t soon be strutting his stuff at Premier League level as well. Chelsea just need to make sure it’s with them.
Tammy Abraham
Why has it taken so long for this guy to get a chance at Chelsea? So prolific in two loan spells in the Championship, it’s surely time now for CFC to use their academy in a bid to solve their striker crisis.
Tammy Abraham has had another great season in front of goal on loan at Aston Villa, and it’s easy to imagine he could explode into form like Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford have when given their breakthroughs at Tottenham and Manchester United in recent years.
Signings like Alvaro Morata, Michy Batshuayi, Olivier Giroud and Gonzalo Higuain haven’t worked at all, so could this transfer ban be a good opportunity to give Abraham the promotion he deserves?
Reece James
Still only 19, Reece James looks the real deal after a highly impressive loan spell with Wigan this season.
An attack-minded right-back, James could surely make an impact at Premier League level, even if he wouldn’t necessarily be first choice for the Blues straight away.
Victor Moses
A hugely underrated player, it’s a bit of a mystery as to why Victor Moses has been frozen out by Sarri this season, moving on loan to Fenerbahce in January.
Not so long ago the Nigerian was an essential part of Chelsea’s title-winning team under Antonio Conte, and with his ability to play in midfield, right-back or wing-back, he surely needs to be brought back into the first-team next season.
Here’s a look at how Chelsea could line up next season with more of an academy feel to their side…
