Pundit: Chelsea need to keep this player to win the Champions League Next Season

Chelsea need to keep Eden Hazard if Antonio Conte wants to win the Champions League next season, according to Garth Crooks.

The Belgium international scored 16 times and made nine assists to help the west London side win their first Premier League title under Conte.

The Chelsea number 10 has now won two Premier League trophies in three seasons but Hazard is still waiting to get his hands on the Champions League crown.

Hazard has been linked with a big-money move to La Liga giants Real Madrid in the summer transfer window despite winning the Premier League this term.

Speaking to BBC Sport about Hazard’s future at Chelsea, former Spurs legend Crooks warned Conte that the Premier League champions can ill-afford to lose the Belgium star.


“Fast forward to summer 2017 and the Belgium international must have every top team in Europe inquiring about his services,” Crooks said.

“The question is, can Chelsea keep him? If they can, they must be in with a great chance of winning Europe’s biggest club competition. Lose him and they can kiss any Champions League hopes goodbye.”

Hazard was part of the Chelsea team that won the Europa League in 2013.

The Chelsea winger moved to Stamford Bridge from Ligue 1 side Lille ahead of interest from Manchester City and Manchester United in the 2012 summer transfer window.