Eden Hazard will leave Chelsea for Real Madrid this summer, according to former Liverpool star Danny Murphy.
The Belgian continues to be linked with a switch to the Bernabeu with the Blues looking increasingly likely to have a second season out of the Champions League next term.
Maurizio Sarri's side sit a point outside the top four but are in a poor run of form and lost 2-0 to Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round in their most recent outing.
And Murphy believes Hazard's days at the Bridge are numbered.
"I think Hazard is shaping up to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid this summer," Murphy told Sportingbet.
"The club will be anxiously looking at his contract only having 12 months remaining and they’ll be pushing him to make a decision.
"I think it will be a huge loss for the Premier League because he’s my favourite player to watch and he is irreplaceable. I can’t think of another player who is capable of doing what he does, irrespective of money.
Sarri is under increasing pressure at Stamford Bridge and could be sacked as soon as Sunday if his side are beaten by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
And Murphy believes former Real boss Zinedine Zidane, who won three successive Champions League titles in the Spanish capital, would be the perfect replacement.
"Zidane would be a great candidate for Chelsea," he added.
"Sarri has publicly spoken of his inability to motivate these Chelsea players, but Zidane wouldn’t have that problem because of what he has achieved as a player and a coach at Real Madrid.
"His career in football means he demands respect. Zidane has also had unbelievable success in the Champions League and we know that’s always been a priority for Roman Abramovich.
"The only real question marks surround his tactical nous because he wasn’t able to get Real Madrid competing in La Liga.
I know that Hazard is a huge fan of Zidane so the prospect of working with him might be enough to convince him to stay at Chelsea.
"It might take an appointment like Zidane if we’re to see Hazard still in the Premier League next season."
sadistic
65
it's not like that's any secret. If he goes there and fans turns on him for being so lackadaisical (and they will), it's on him. As a Chelsea fan, I'm tired of the drama; I'll pack his bags for him if he's made up his mind.
Marching
62
I don't think they really want him (can't scrore +20 goals), but its the easiest "big" signing of the summer. If you make a list of the "top" current players : Mbappé : Paris will not release him Neymar : Same Messi : ... Salah : Liverpol will ask 200M€ easy Kane : price + english (they rarely leave England) Griezmann : Attached to the other madrid KDB : Seems happy in england + pep Eden Hazard: 1y of contract + scream is love to real since 8y Coutinho Sterling : price + english player (they rarely leave England) Dybala : May be ? The only 3 big signing they could make are : Icardi : lost trust from his teamates Dybala : I don't follow juve Hazard
Lexfreson
28
This honestly looks like a bucket list type of thing for him. For a guy who is so laid-back, it doesn't make sense for him to push for a move like this. He'll be at Madrid for couple of years and then leave for a smaller club. He strikes me as the type to happily take a pay cut and play in the lower leagues so long as he can play freely and enjoy.