5 ways Chelsea can benefit from the departure of Eden Hazard
1. Valuable playing time for Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic
Yes, Callum Hudson-Odoi has a long way back from an ugly injury that prematurely ended his 2018/19 season, but with Hazard out of the picture and an ageing Willian and Pedro out on the wings, the young English star will have a chance to move back to his natural position out on the left flank for the foreseeable future where he is ever so dangerous cutting in on his right foot against opposition defenders.
At only 18-years-old (he won’t turn 19 until November!), Hudson-Odoi’s best days are still to come at Stamford Bridge.
Despite only earning 23 caps this year and used primarily as a sub, the kid from London has impressed enough to earn his first two appearances with the Gareth Southgate lead England national team, who by all accounts is as ripe with young talent as any in the world.
Once heavily linked with rumors to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, the late season injury to Hudson-Odoi might have been a blessing in disguise for Chelsea for him to stay at the club.
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A Hazard move to Madrid also opens the door for Chelsea’s January signing, American attacking midfielder/winger Christian Pulisic. Losing his place in the starting XI to the sensational Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund, Pulisic is making a move at just the right time in his career and should be hungry to crack the lineup for Maurizio Sarri’s side. He’ll be able to learn from veterans like the aforementioned Willian and Pedro as he gets his feet wet in the English game, hoping to take his game to the next level.
Pulisic joins the ranks of other American standouts like Clint Dempsey (Fulham, Tottenham), Landon Donovan (Everton), Tim Howard (Manchester United, Everton), Brian McBride (Everton, Fulham), Jozy Altidore (Hull City, Sunderland), Kasey Keller (Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Fulham) and current Newcastle defender DeAndre Yedlin to make the transition to the Premier League.
Both of these inserts into the Blues lineup should aid in the long-term progress of the club.