Eden Hazard's potential return to Chelsea has been complicated by the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich as the Belgian continues to struggle with Real Madrid.
Hazard was an unused substitute in Carlo Ancelotti's side as Los Blancos were thrashed 4-0 by Barcelona at the Bernabeu in El Classico. It was a situation that once again sparked conversation and debate over where the winger's future lies with a return to the Premier League rumoured.
Chelsea, Newcastle and even Arsenal have all been linked with moves for the 31-year-old, who joined Madrid for £88 million in the summer of 2019. Former players of the Spanish giants have even started to express their confusion at the star's lack of game time, with Guti the latest to speak out.
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"I’m Ancelotti and I look at the bench and I have Hazard, Jovic, Bale, Isco… and you’re telling me that I can’t sub any of them in?" Guti told El Chiringuito, via The Metro. "What’s going on? I am getting lost. I watch the game against Barcelona and I see the Real Madrid bench and I find that in the second half the first change from Madrid is Mariano… How can this be? Aren’t Bale and Hazard there? Madrid’s first offensive change Mariano, who hasn’t played this year?
"Real Madrid cannot just use 12 or 13 players. A big team that wants to fight for the Champions League, for La Liga and for the Copa del Rey cannot use just 14 players. What is happening here?"
But it appears an escape route to Chelsea has been scuppered for the time being at least. GOAL report that plans were in place to attempt to bring Hazard back to Stamford Bridge, but in the wake of sanctions brought against Roman Abramovich and the uncertainty that has come with it, they have been put on ice.
Chelsea supporters could see Hazard in action when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals but they will be hoping he does not rediscover his sparkling form during the tie.
