Chelsea line up Hazard replacement

 

Chelsea have earmarked Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a possible replacement for Eden Hazard, according to The Sun.

 

Hazard, 25, has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this season with Real Madrid reportedly favourites to land last season’s PFA Player of the Season.

 

The Belgium international is still focused on Chelsea and it is believed he will not make a decision on his future until the reigning Premier League champions have named their new permanent manager, which is not likely to happen until the summer.

 

However, Guus Hiddink’s side are already preparing for life without Hazard, with Oxlade-Chamberlain heading their list of possible replacements.

 

The 22-year-old has struggled so far this season with Arsenal and there is a feeling he needs a new challenge, to come out of his comfort zone, to realise his full potential.

 

Chelsea line up Hazard replacement

 

Jose Mourinho held a long-standing interest in the England international and that has not diminished for Chelsea since his departure.

 

Since the start of the season, only Alexis Sanchez (24.1 mins) has required fewer minutes per successful dribble than Oxlade-Chamberlain (24.2 mins) for Arsenal in the Premier League, furthering his only statistically calculated strength of 'dribbling'.

 

For more stats on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, click here to visit his WhoScored player page