Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as Real Madrid manager is a positive news to many except for Chelsea, as they risk losing their star Eden Hazard, who has not hidden his desire to join Real.
Even when Zidane quit, Hazard spoke warmly about the prospect of wearing that famous white shirt.
But with Zidane reinstated, the lure of the Bernabeu will be even stronger for Hazard.
The only issue would be Chelsea’s willingness to let him go this summer, no matter how much Real offered, when they cannot spend any of that money on a replacement for 12 months.
But it is either take the cash which they cannot spend yet, or keep Hazard, potentially against his will, for the final year of his contract and see him walk to Madrid for nothing in 2020.
Chelsea might choose to say they never wanted Zidane as coach and remain happy with Maurizio Sarri.
Not many people will believe that, though.
And for Zidane to go back to Real will be a massive body blow for the Stamford Bridge club.
How much of a part Fifa’s ruling that Chelsea cannot delay their two window transfer ban until after this summer is hard to tell but it is difficult to feel it was not the final nail in the coffin.