Who can Chelsea replace Eden Hazard and Ngolo Kante with? Here are some suggestions

Eden Hazard and N’golo Kante are seen in the eyes of many to be the best players at Chelsea with Hazard serving since 2012 and Kante arriving in 2016. They have a Premier League player of the season award apiece but with the season nearing an end both are linked with a move away in the summer. So the question has to be asked: Who can replace Eden Hazard and N’golo Kante.

Eden Hazard seems destined for a move to Real Madrid in the summer especially with childhood hero Zinedine Zidane back at the Bernabeu. The Belgian forward has once again been flirting with a summer move and most Chelsea fans are resigned to his departure this year.

As for Kante, he in November 2018 signed a new £290,000 per week with the club so is unlikely to move for money. However, he hasn’t fully looked comfortable in a new system this year and has been linked to Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG so could see this as a chance to move forward in his career.

Some fans may see this as a disaster but in reality this could be a chance to rebuild the team tailored to the manager’s needs. Just for clarification this is assuming the appeal is successful and Chelsea are allowed to sign players this summer transfer window.

Eden Hazard first then is almost certain to leave and despite undoubtedly being the star player this could work out well for Chelsea. For me Hazard is a legend but we are too reliant on him and seeing him leave could result in a more united team. Also maybe Hazard is too good for the system in the sense he can hold on to the ball for so long but in reality quick passing is needed.

For me, Callum Hudson-Odoi is the direct replacement and can easily fill that left wing spot next season as he has always looked good when starting and not too bad in some off the bench cameos. I am hopeful Willian will depart and maybe even Pedro with them being on the wrong side of 30 but despite Christian Pulisic coming in I would still like another winger. This man is Federico Chiesa.

The name may be unfamiliar to some and of course he is not Hazard’s level but after being told to look into him I am very convinced. The man is only 21 years old but has twelve goals in all competitions which is more than each of Willian and Pedro. What is more impressive is that he has this goal tally which is the best at his club in an under-performing tenth place Fiorentina side.

Chiesa is a very technical player but what impresses me most is how quick he moves the ball which is perfect for Maurizio Sarri should he stay. His crossing efficiency is fantastic and of course he has a finish on him as well. He would be my right winger with Pulisic as a substitute. Below is a clip showing highlighting the skills of Chiesa.

Now as for N’golo Kante, he has done well adapting to a new role but can sometimes look lost in the system so cashing in and signing a cheaper better suited replacement could be ideal. For me this replacement would be Lyon powerhouse Tanguy Ndombele.

No player can be as tireless as N’golo Kante but Tanguy Ndombele is certainly a worthy replacement. He has burst onto the scene this year attracting major attention and cementing his place in Lyon’s midfield.

The Frenchman is good in the tackle, energetic and can easily turn defence into attack. His combination of dribbling power and passing range is perfect for the right centre midfield spot in a 433 and at 22 years old he’ll only get better.

Ndombele does have less goals than Kante this season but he does play for a Lyon team with more players who score regularly than at Chelsea. There is no doubt Kante has also been great for the club but in an attacking system Ndombele is probably better suited to the role and with the big money interest in N’golo if the transfer ban is revoked for the summer maybe it is time to rebuild. Below you can see highlights of the quality Ndombele possesses.

I do love Hazard and Kante but with both being linked with moves away a rebuild with players that suit the managers system is the best solution.

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