6 players Chelsea could replace Eden Hazard with

#2 – Nabil Fekir

Fekir holds off John Stones in the Champions League victory over City

Nabil Fekir will depart Lyon, where he has spent his whole career, with a heavy heart, but depart he must. It is a shame, because not too long ago Lyon were regular champions of France, but the bottleneck PSG have created at the top of Ligue 1 means that Fekir is unlikely to ever collect a league title at the Stade de Lyon, let alone European honours.

The reasons behind the collapse of his potential move to Liverpool remain unclear; a failed medical seems unlikely considering the amount of appearances he has made for Liverpool. What seems more probable is that there was simply not a natural slot for him in the Liverpool team; their front 3 are close to untouchable, and Klopp favours more workmanlike midfielders.

However, Fekir's talent is undeniable. He has been compared to Messi, and with 18 goals and 8 assists in the league last season, was one of the most productive players in Europe. Like Dybala, Fekir can play wide, in a number 10 role or as a central number 9, and would certainly at least mitigate the loss of Hazard.