5 ways Chelsea can benefit from the departure of Eden Hazard

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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Gonzalo Higuain of Chelsea celebrates as as he scores his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Watford FC at Stamford Bridge on May 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /

3. The Return of the Striker?

Because of Hazard’s wanting to play more centrally at times in a False 9 role this season, we saw more restriction on service into the box than one might have hoped for from such a talented side. It was next to nothing. If Hazard is to leave, and if Gonzalo Higuaín should stay like he says he wants to and become THE MAN in the middle, it’s fathomable that he returns to some of the form that we first saw from the Argentinian national playing under Sarri at Napoli when he tied the Serie A record for goals in a season with 36 in 2015/16 .

While it’s unlikely, though not out of the question at the age of 31, and in a more competitive league that he’ll match that output, even half that tally would be an outstanding year in the English top-flight. Higuaín tended to drift back into the midfield to facilitate play later in the season for a lackluster Chelsea squad, but he still found ways to impact the game despite not scoring. He can still put away a header given good enough service and is clinical with his finishing in the box. With another off-season of conditioning under his belt and not part of international duty with Argentina anymore, Chelsea should see a vibrant and refreshed Higuaín at the start of next season.

On the flip side, questions do still remain around French striker Olivier Giroud and his status at the club, as he wants more playing time and may have to go elsewhere to find it. He’s been more than serviceable this year, at least in Europa League competition, co-leading the tournament in scoring with 10 goals in 13 appearances, including a hat trick against Dynamo Kyiv back in March. Mostly relegated to a late-game sub in the Premier League under Sarri, one would not be too surprised to see double-digit goals from a player with the pedigree of Giroud given the appropriate playing time.

A Hazard departure could spell good news for Chelsea forwards should they be able to get back to a style of play that suits a pair of aging yet talented strikers.

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