Chelsea ace Eden Hazard could join Real Madrid this summer (Picture: Getty)

Wayne Bridge says Chelsea will find it impossible to replace Eden Hazard, with only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo capable of filling his shoes at Stamford Bridge.

Two-time Premier League champion Hazard has enjoyed seven productive and enjoyable years at Chelsea, developing into one of the best players in the world during his time in west London.

Real Madrid are planning to sign the Belgian superstar this summer, however, and the Blues are becoming increasingly resigned to his departure at the end of the season.

Chelsea signed Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund in January, with the USA international a potential replacement for Madrid-bound Hazard.




But former Chelsea and England defender Bridge doubts anyone – bar modern greats Messi and Ronaldo – are capable of replacing Hazard.

He told Goal: ‘If Chelsea lose Hazard, I don’t know how they could replace him. I couldn’t think who they would sign because Hazard is one of the best players in the world.

‘I would think only Messi or Ronaldo could replace him. I think if they do lose him, they can’t replace him.

‘That’s why I worry that Chelsea could struggle even more than they are doing at the moment. He has been a huge part of the club’s season with goals and assists.

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‘I would love to see Hazard stay to help the club compete and he has been so good for the league, but we don’t know what will happen.’

Hazard has enjoyed another fantastic season for Chelsea, scoring 26 goals and making 15 assists in 59 appearances in all competitions.

The Belgian star was surprisingly dropped from the Blues’ starting line-up for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Explaining Hazard’s omission, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri said: ‘We have to play five matches in two weeks with the same level of importance. We need to make changes.

‘This is why Eden is on the bench. He played ten matches in a row and usually he is really able to change the match from the bench.

‘After ten matches in a row he needs a rest. I don’t want him to play for 90 minutes.’

Chelsea clinched a 1-1 draw at Frankfurt on Thursday and in doing so set a new Europa League record for the most consecutive matches unbeaten in the competition.

On Sunday, Sarri’s side face London rivals Watford.

MORE: Manchester United star Paul Pogba must take significant pay cut to join Real Madrid