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Potential Morata-Hazard deal could benefit both Chelsea, Madrid

By Sean Maslin

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Eden Hazard of Chelsea is closed down by Ngolo Kante of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Eden Hazard of Chelsea is closed down by Ngolo Kante of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Everyone likes a good blockbuster deal and a potential Eden Hazard-Alvaro Morata swap just might be the best.

On Thursday the Mirror reported that Chelsea and Real Madrid have been in discussions over a potential trade of the two players. In the proposed deal Chelsea would also receive cash as well, although the exact amount is disputed. The Mirror reported the number as being 35 million pounds while the Independent has it at 40 million pounds.

Hazard, 25, scored six goals in 25 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season. He is still currently on international duty with Belgium.

Morata, 23, scored 12 goals in 47 appearances for Juventus last season and just recently wrapped up a successful stint with the Spanish national team. Madrid exercised their buy-back clause on Morata on June the 21st, having originally sold him to Juventus in July of 2014. The clause was for 30 million pounds.

Although deals like this are reported all the time by the British press, there does seem to be some credence behind this deal. Zidane has spoken at length about his admiration for Hazard. While he was the coach of Real Madrid’s youth academy side Zidane told The Daily Mail:

"After Messi and Ronaldo, Hazard is my favourite player. I love watching him because he is a player who creates things and it is often spectacular to see him play."

Hazard meanwhile has had nothing but positive things to say about the legendary Real Madrid striker.

For both sides the deal seems to make a ton of sense. Despite the plaudits sent Hazard’s way he struggled last season with Chelsea seeing a dip in his form.

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While much of that can be attributed to the instability at the club, Hazard never looked completely comfortable playing alongside of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas. At times last season Hazard was asked to put the team on his back and whether it is fair or it is not he was never really able to do it.

With Madrid, Hazard will be allowed to orchestrate down the flank and make the smart decisive passes that originally won him such high praise. Especially considering that Chelsea is likely to go through a bit of a rebuild and a philosophy change now seems like the perfect time to go.

As for Morata, the deal could not be more perfect. Having played Juventus for the past two seasons he will already accustomed to Conte’s possession-heavy style. Conte likes to win matches in the center of the pitch and prefers to be patient in building attacking chances.

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Morata has shown with the Spanish national team that he can make the most out of his opportunities and will be a solid bridge for players who are not accustomed to Conte’s Calcio leanings.

The real key for Chelsea in this deal though is the extra money that they will receive from the deal. If the reports are true that Chelsea stands to earn between 35 and 40 million pounds for Hazard then Conte will have the funds necessary to build the team in his image.

Whether or not the club chooses to use it on a handful of players or make a big splash for one player is up for debate. But what is without question is that it gives them the chance to start their rebuilding project off on the right foot.

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