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What’s Next For Barcelona? 6 Potential Neymar Replacements

By Tom Bogert

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: Antoine Griezmann (R) of Atletico de Madrid competes for the ball with Gerard Pique (L) of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Vicente Calderon on February 1, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: Antoine Griezmann (R) of Atletico de Madrid competes for the ball with Gerard Pique (L) of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Vicente Calderon on February 1, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on April 25, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on April 25, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Eden Hazard

Neymar and Hazard are comparable. They both play left wing, both are effervescent dribblers and are at a similar age. They both were highly courted for years, Neymar at Santos and Hazard at Lille. Both could have chosen to play anywhere across Europe and made their moves to elite clubs at 21 years old.

Hazard makes sense for the same reasons that Griezmann does: the perfect age to go with their attacking core and long-proven at the highest levels.

Disregarding the bizarre 2015-16 season in which Chelsea absolutely imploded, Hazard has been one of the best performers in the Premier League. And durable, despite being fouled ad nauseam. He’s appeared in no fewer than 31 Premier League games per season since joining Chelsea.

In June, Hazard reiterated his commitment to the London side and Antonio Conte has been irked by the slow churning transfer incomings, one wouldn’t imagine he’d soon acquiesce to a sale of his best attacker.

But Barcelona could make Hazard top priority, offer a ridiculous pay jump and lure him with the chance to play with Messi.

Who would you rather play on a random Saturday afternoon, West Brom or Eibar?

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