Could Chelsea actually swap James for Hazard?

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 27 Dec 2021 17:53 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea have once again become one of Europe's formidable forces under the management of Thomas Tuchel, with the Blues currently the reigning Champions League holders following their win over Manchester City earlier in 2021.

After Frank Lampard's tenure took a turn for the worse, Tuchel, who had just been sacked by Paris Saint-Germain, was appointed, and the German immediately experienced success.

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His wing-back system ensured Chelsea were first and foremost hard to play against, which can be seen by their incredible defensive record.

One of the stars of this switch in system has been one of the players Lampard helped bring through following the transfer ban - Reece James.

The Englishman has not only flourished at wing-back, but he's also been deployed as a right-sided centre-back on occasions - a role he's performed admirably.

After playing second fiddle at the European Championships, James has improved his impact immeasurably, and has been one of Chelsea's most important players this campaign.

His form this season, which has seen him score four and assist five in the league, has attracted plenty of praise, as well as interest from elsewhere.

Now, as a Chelsea academy graduate, it seems unlikely he will leave his boyhood club, but according to El Nacional, Real Madrid are preparing to make an offer for the full-back.

The report suggests that Carlo Ancelotti is a big admirer of James, and with Dani Carvajal's fitness record now sketchy at best, Los Blancos are eyeing up the Englishman as his replacement.

The Spanish giants also have an ace up their sleeves: Eden Hazard.

The Belgian joined Real Madrid from Chelsea back in 2019, but injury problems, as well as a lack of form, have meant the move hasn't worked out.

The club are now reportedly looking at ways to offload Hazard, and see a move for James as the perfect opportunity to do so. El Nacional report that Real Madrid are keen on a player-plus-cash deal that will see Hazard, plus potentially some extra cash, return to Stamford Bridge, with James moving the other way.

It's an ambitious aim, but could it happen?

Chelsea won't sell

Despite the possibility of re-signing Valentino Livramento from Southampton, activating the £25 million buy-back clause in his contract, and using him to replace James, Chelsea simply won't sell their star right-back in the first place.

There's a reason why the Blues let Livramento and Tariq Lamptey leave the club, and it's James.

They see him as a potential future club captain, and given how influential he's been under Tuchel, a sale isn't on the cards.

It would take an enormous bid for Chelsea to even consider a sale, and that doesn't seem likely.

As well as that, Chelsea don't need Hazard. He may have lit up Stamford Bridge in the past, but injuries have hampered his ability massively, and given the plethora of attacking options already at the club, they don't need to add any more.