10 most expensive signings by Chelsea

#3. Eden Hazard; €40m

Eden Hazard elevated his game to the next level after his move to Chelsea

Eden Hazard was handed the #17 shirt upon his arrival at Chelsea in 2012 for a reported fee of €40 million. It was a major rebuilding process taking place in Chelsea after the ‘old horses’ in Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard had served the Blues for a good part of the decade. Hazard’s arrival from Lille was backed up by back-to-back Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards, scoring 17 goals the previous season.

The young Belgian came with a lot of hype and was touted as one of the best young prospects in Europe at that time. He was an attacking midfielder who also played as a winger. In his first season at Chelsea, Hazard scored 13 goals in all competitions. Under incoming manager Jose Mourinho, Hazard was often criticised for his work-rate without the ball in the 2013-14 season.

The 2014-15 season would, however, be Hazard’s breakthrough season where he led the Blues to a Premier League win and won the PFA Player of the Year for the first time. He had ravaged defences with his skill and pace and the Belgian drew comparisons to the likes of Messi and Ronaldo.

After a poor 2015-16 season with Chelsea, Eden Hazard will hope that he can get back to his best form under new manager Antonio Conte if he is to be regarded as the best in the world in the future.