Former Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise believes a Stamford Bridge departure for Eden Hazard is inevitable at some point.
The Belgium schemer is one of the most coveted players in world football but decided to stay in London amid interest from Real Madrid this summer following a stellar World Cup with his nation, who claimed third place.
But it is seen as inevitable that Hazard will eventually decide to join Thibaut Courtois in the Spanish capital sooner rather than later – an opinion shared by Blues icon Wise.
“He’s obviously an ambitious guy and if he wants to be a top, top, world-class player then he probably needs to go on and win lots of different things,” Wise told Express Sport.
“You’ve got Barcelona and Real Madrid – those are where top players want to end up.
Thibaut Courtois said at his Real Madrid unveiling he would love Eden Hazard to join him one day.
“But at the moment it’s important that we’ve still got him at Chelsea and I think he loves the place. I’m sure in time he’ll make his decision about what’s best for him.
“At the end of the day, he’s a world-class player and has made such a difference at the start of this season.
“Do you want to lose him? Of course you don’t. He’s irreplaceable, if I’m being honest. One day, unfortunately, when he wants to go he will.
“Hopefully we get a couple more seasons out of him – at least.”
