Eden Hazard’s admission shows why this could be a critical summer for Chelsea

Any failure to bring in elite signings now could mean losing their main elite player in a year or two, with all the potential consequences that entails

Eden Hazard has said he wants Chelsea to sign ‘good players’ (Getty Images)

As one Chelsea player privately put it this season, “there’s always something bubbling under the surface at this club”, but it’s saying something when their best player makes an issue so overt. Eden Hazard however didn’t hide under the usual political language when speaking at the club’s press day ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final.

He made his expectations ahead of any new contract clear, and thereby made one of Chelsea’s main current problems clear, with that all the more pronounced because it was coming from such a prominent figure.

“I’m waiting for new players next season,” Hazard said when asked about what he is weighing up ahead of agreeing to a new deal. “We’ll see. I want good players, because I want to win next season the Premier League.”

So, just at a time when there is so much talk of transition and doubt about Chelsea’s ability to still buy the top players they need, their current top player is laying the pressure on.

It could mean this ends up being a genuine juncture summer for the club, since any failure to bring in elite signings now could mean losing their main elite player in a year or two, with all the potential consequences that entails.

It should also be remembered that Hazard is by no means an agitator.

At the same time he said all this, he was all too willing to point out that he is happy at Chelsea. That is no caveat of a line. It’s true. It’s just that he’s equally open to exploring new opportunities and – above anything else – wants any team he’s with, at this prime point in his career, to be capable of closing out the major competitions.

To do that they will need to buy, and likely big. Whether they are willing to do so is another issue, after a few windows where overly “clever” windows have left them in a not too clever position.

Some sources believe they could spend less than Tottenham Hotspur this summer, at under £150m, although others who know Roman Abramovich well insist that he could just wake up one day and return to the old days of huge purchases. A number of loan players are likely to be sold to raise further cash, though, and Juventus are understood to be interested in Alvaro Morata.

One thing that Hazard’s comments did re-emphasise, though, was a positive for Chelsea. He is highly unlikely to go this summer, or want to go just yet.

The Real Madrid interest is always there and one story from Manchester City has it that when Pep Guardiola was discussing who he wants for the wide-forward position they want to fill this summer, he excitedly mentioned Hazard. He also knows it’s almost impossible to pull off and, with two years left on the Belgian’s deal despite the pressure, Chelsea just will not be selling this summer. That is nothing to worry about – but doesn’t mean there aren’t other worries.

Chelsea’s deep inconsistency is clearly playing on Hazard’s mind.

His only explanation when asked why they seem to this season go from good display to bad, and in the longer term so regularly go from good season to bad was just… “this is Chelsea! You never know what’s happening for the season”.

In other words, it’s just become part of the club’s identity. It is almost inherent to them.

It was said with a laugh, but also some sincerity. This was the problem nailed, without nailing much specific at all. This is perhaps the biggest problem of all, and the biggest frustration of all for players like Hazard.

It has felt like the depressing nature of this season has been so… needless. Whatever about who the blame mostly lies with, it shouldn’t have happened so soon after a title win; so soon after everything in a title-winning side seemed so smooth.

That is something they’re going to have to address, to address the concerns of their finest player. It is not just about him, though. It is about their future.