Eden Hazard: Rising Star's Big Price Tag Worth the Risk for Chelsea

Chelsea made the first big splash of the offseason by landing dynamic young star Eden Hazard, who announced his decision on Twitter. He didn't come cheap for the Blues, but his immense upside definitely makes the move worth any risk.

Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph reports the transfer fee will be just over £35 million, with Hazard's weekly wages checking in around £170,000. That's a lot to pay for a 21-year-old player who has played his entire career in Ligue 1 with Lille.

But after winning the Champions League and watching veteran superstar Didier Drogba end his run at Stamford Bridge, the Blues couldn't afford to sit back and let the another Premier League powerhouse land Hazard, widening the talent gap.

Owner Roman Abramovich wasn't going to let that happen after one of the best moments in club history, so he decided to meet Hazard's demands to beat out league champion Manchester City and Manchester United in a hotly-contested race.

Hazard has the potential to become one of the league's most dangerous offensive threats. After a steady rise, he really flourished into a star this season, netting 20 goals in league play while also showing off improved playmaking skills.

The attacking midfielder will immediately play a key role in Chelsea's offensive game plan. He features terrific pace and has the on-ball skills necessary to make defenders look silly if they give him too much space.

He will also bring more flair to the Chelsea attack, which has been a lot more structured recently. Instead of always needing a solid build-up to create chances, Hazard can make things happen all by himself with a long run through the midfield.

That type of instant offense is what made him one of the most coveted players on the market. He's truly a game-changing player.

Perhaps more importantly, the agreement helps Chelsea signal to other players that it's going to get right back in the Champions League title mix next season.

With question marks surrounding the team, such as the manager position following a successful interim stint by Roberto Di Matteo, it was crucial that the Blues made an impact signing early on to provide a boost for the rest of the summer.

Hazard has a great chance to become the next elite Chelsea star right away. And he still have plenty of time to get better, which is a scary thought for every other team in the league.

Big deals always bring risk with them because if they don't work out, it can put a team in a financial hole. But the Blues should feel confident their newest star will live up to the hype.