Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Maurizio Sarri must guide the Blues to Champions League qualification this season if they are to stop Eden Hazard moving to Real Madrid.
According to Goal via the Mirror, Hasselbaink revealed that he can only see Chelsea’s star man staying at the club this summer if they qualify for the Champions League.
Hazard has always been open about his desire to fulfil his boyhood dream of playing for Madrid, but has never looked to force a move away from Chelsea in order to do so.
The Belgian revealed earlier this month that he has made a decision on whether to start pursuing a move to Real or stay at Stamford Bridge, though Chelsea’s potential two window transfer ban could impact that.
Hasselbaink believes his decision could fall on whether the Blues finish in the Champions League places in the league, and placed a great emphasis on their next two games.
It’ll be difficult for Hazard if Chelsea aren’t in the Champions League next season. That’s why the game with Tottenham is every bit as vital as the Carabao Cup final, maybe even more
However the former Chelsea man also revealed that should Hazard leave for Madrid, it could clear the way for the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and other youth prospects to make a claim for a starting spot in the first team.
But sooner or later I think the club will have to shuffle things around anyway to provide a pathway for young players like Callum Hudson-Odoi. They have some great young players coming through but if they can’t get into the first team they will go to clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs who give them a chance.
