Eden Hazard must force his way out of Chelsea to take next step in his career

Eden Hazard has enjoyed an excellent six years at Chelsea, but with clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona circling, it’s time for him to move on.

Eden Hazard’s decision to join Chelsea back in the summer of 2012 was a good one. The Belgian indulged his flair for the dramatic by dragging out his choice for weeks as a number of clubs made their pitch to him, announcing his transfer to Chelsea on Twitter like a social media equivalent of LeBron James’ “The Decision.” But few would argue it wasn’t the right move for him at the right time.

Indeed, Chelsea have harnessed Hazard. They have given him a platform to establish himself as one of the best players in the Premier League, winning titles and cups in the process. But just as he did six years ago, Hazard finds himself at a career juncture this summer. That has become clear over the past few weeks and months.

Hazard has achieved all he can at Stamford Bridge. To take the next step in his career, to join the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the very best players in the world, he must make another leap. That means a move to a superclub like Barcelona or Real Madrid. This is the nature of the modern game.

Hazard has been linked with such a move for a long time. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have reportedly made offers for the Belgian this summer after his impressive showing at the World Cup. Hazard’s stock has never been higher, especially with Barcelona still reeling from Neymar’s shock exit last summer and Real Madrid seeking to move on from the Ronaldo era.

But with less than two weeks of the summer transfer window remaining, Hazard remains a Chelsea player. The Blues are undergoing something of a revolution on and off the field. They have a new manager in Maurizio Sarri, with Russian owner Roman Abramovich also reported to have put the club up for sale.

With this revolution comes risk for Hazard, though. There’s no guarantee Chelsea will return to the top of the English game after a dismal season under Antonio Conte last term. They could quite easily crash and burn under the sometimes volatile Sarri just as they have under various other managers down the years.

The Belgian won’t even play in the Champions League this season. That’s where great players define themselves, where Ballon d’Ors are won and so Hazard might have no choice but to force his way out of Chelsea sooner rather than later. Wait any longer and the 27-year-old could spurn his chance to truly fulfill his potential.

Reports indicate the Blues are unwilling to entertain offers for their best player. That’s understandable. Sarri already faces a tough enough task to rejuvenate Chelsea without having to find a replacement for Hazard at this stage of the transfer window. This is where Hazard must take matters into his own hands.

The 27-year-old is in a position of power, with his current Chelsea contract set to run out in 2020. Hazard has been careful not to tie himself to the club with a long-term contract and so this could force the Blues to cash in on the Belgian before his value takes a hit next year. This could be their last chance to get a world-record fee for Hazard before suitors start to use the player’s contract situation in negotiations.

It might be too late for Hazard to force a move this summer, but the stance he takes now will determine his future destination. Look at Ronaldo and how he manufactured his departure from Manchester United to Real Madrid back in 2009 — he handed in a transfer request a full year before getting his move, striking a compromise by agreeing to stay one more season. Hazard could pull a similar move.

Hazard made a wise decision in joining Chelsea six years ago. Now, he hopes to make another one regarding his next destination. To give himself that decision, though, Hazard must force the hand of his current club. It might not be especially dignified, but every passing transfer window represents another missed opportunity for a player who could be the next best in the world.