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Eden Hazard questions Chelsea’s summer transfer business

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Eden Hazard of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Eden Hazard of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Eden Hazard isn’t sure Chelsea improved this summer

Chelsea officials can’t be very happy with Eden Hazard’s latest comments to the Spanish press. Not only was the Belgian talisman effusive with his praise for Real Madrid, he also expressed serious concern about the Blues’ business in the summer transfer window.

When asked whether or not his squad got stronger this summer, Hazard replied that he’d need to wait until the end of the year to answer that question. That’s hardly a ringing endorsement for the five players Antonio Conte brought in to reinforce his Premier League title-winning squad.

It’s not as if the Blues didn’t spend serious cash to strengthen their squad. Alvaro Morata came in from Real Madrid on a massive deal. The likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger weren’t cheap acquisitions either. Add in two Deadline Day purchases of Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta and you have what looks to be a pretty solid transfer window for Chelsea.

Unfortunately, Hazard and the majority of the Blues’ fan base aren’t interested in solid moves. They want to see the club use their financial might to bring in world-class stars all over the pitch. In fairness, it’s hard to point to any single Chelsea summer acquisition this summer as a certain Premier League star in the making. Some might give that title to Morata, but he’ll have to play extremely well to replace the man who led the Blues’ line last season.

Hazard didn’t mention Diego Costa by name in his interviews, but it’s easy to see the enigmatic striker as the unspoken subtext in the Belgian’s words. The enigmatic striker and the exquisite attacking midfielder forged a unique bond over the years at Stamford Bridge. One can’t blame Hazard for being a little miffed at the idea that his club may have taken a step backwards in the striking department this summer due to a personality conflict between Costa and manager Antonio Conte.

Next: Chelsea open the door for a potential Diego Costa return

In the end, if Chelsea are able to defend their Premier League crown then Hazard’s comments will drift away and be forgotten. However, if the club fail to hoist silverware at the conclusion of the 2017/18 campaign, expect to see a lot of noise regarding Hazard’s feelings about Chelsea’s ambition. This could easily serve as the groundwork for a potential summer move to a club like Real Madrid. It’s an issue that officials at Stamford Bridge will have to keep a close eye on all season long.

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