Didier Drogba says no one can replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has said that no player can replace Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge. The Belgium international made the switch to Real Madrid from the Blues after seven seasons and that has left a potential void on the left side of the attack, though new signing Christian Pulisic has been backed to take up the role.

Speaking during an Instagram live on his account, Drogba said that Hazard remains a special player and the Blues may not be able to instantly replace him in their ranks, he said: “No one can replace Hazard, he is special. But someone else will come, [and] step up. “Eden Hazard is a legend at Chelsea. That’s life, that’s football.”

The west London giants were expecting the departure of Hazard from the midway stage of the previous campaign and that made them secure a transfer agreement for Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund. That move has become more crucial with the club now serving a 12-month ban and it remains to be seen whether the United States international can hit the ground running next term.

Pulisic had a rather indifferent season with Dortmund where he struggled with multiple calf concerns and that partly reduced his gametime with the club. Nonetheless, he has shown plenty of promise through the Gold Cup with the national team and the Blues will be hoping that the attacker makes a bright start to his debut Premier League season.

Chelsea are currently without a manager after the departure of Maurizio Sarri but they have been tipped to pursue Frank Lampard as the new boss. The former Blues star is currently contracted to Derby County in the Championship but the Blues remain confident of landing his signature with negotiations at an advanced stage with the Rams. Lampard guided the Rams to the Championship play-off final during his debut managerial season last term.