Keeping Eden Hazard at Chelsea Next Summer Will Be Difficult, Says Cesc Fabregas

Chelsea will have a difficult time keeping Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge next summer, according to Cesc Fabregas. 

The Belgium international is in the final two years of his contract with the Blues and expressed interest in joining Real Madrid in the summer. However, Fabregas believes the strength of Chelsea's position made it straightforward for them to keep him this year but says it will be much more difficult next summer.

He told Simon Johnson of the Evening Standard:

"It was an easy decision, especially now, because at this stage how much can Eden cost? Not many teams in the world can buy Eden Hazard. He still had two years left on his contract. 

"Next year if he has one year left, that's a different story. You don't have as much power as a club. Eden is one of the best players in the world. 

"But having two years left, especially how the market is, it's basically impossible to sign him up. I don't think it was that hard from the club."

Hazard has enjoyed a stunning start to the season, racking up six goals and two assists in seven matches.

On Wednesday, he drew the plaudits after scoring a sensational late winner for Chelsea as they beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in the Carabao Cup.

The Telegraph's Matt Law believes the attacker should stay with the Blues:

Convincing him to remain at Stamford Bridge will be easier said than done, though, as goals like that will only ramp up the interest in him from Europe's elite.

Former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris and ESPN FC's Liam Twomey are huge admirers of the Belgian, though as football writer Garry Hayes noted, there is perhaps one part of his game holding him back:

While Hazard's exceptional talent is abundantly clear, showcasing it week after week is something he has struggled a little with during his time at Stamford Bridge.

His 2015-16 campaign was poor, and he has never reached the tally of 20 goals in a single season with the Blues. By contrast, the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—with whom he is regularly compared—typically score more than double that every year.

If the winger can maintain his form, he could be set to enjoy his best season for Chelsea, which could invite offers next summer.

Unless the Blues can tie him down to a new deal in the meantime, they may have to choose between selling him for a reduced fee or risk losing him for nothing in 2020.

It's not a position you want to be in with your biggest star, but manager Maurizio Sarri appears to be coaxing the best out of him. If he can continue to do that and earns silverware in the process, Hazard could be convinced to stay.